Louisville native Justin Thomas has work to do at PGA Championship, but 2

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Justin Thomas wished his score reflected how he felt he played.

The Louisville native certainly didn’t complain after he birdied four of his final six holes for a 2-under 69 on Thursday in the PGA Championship. He was just hoping for a better start in his hometown as a supportive gallery watched at Valhalla Golf Club.

Making it feel worse was playing partner Xander Schauffele setting a PGA Championship record with a 62.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Thomas, who is among 15 golfers tied at 2 under as he tries for his third PGA Championship title. “Felt a lot of great things out there, a lot of positive encouragement.

“I easily could have shot four or five shots better today, but I’m proud of how I played the back nine to hang in there.”

Thomas acknowledged having some nerves starting on the par-5 10th hole at Valhalla, located about 18 miles from where he played high school golf at Saint Xavier. The morning sun caused him to lose sight of his “strange” tee shot, but he found the ball and saved par.

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