The Associated Press

HAVEN, Wis. - Darren Clarke put the rumors to rest quickly.

After three days of hysteria that Whistling Straits might be the toughest test ever at a major, Clarke birdied the first four holes Thursday in the PGA Championship en route to a 7-under 65, setting the tone for a round of mild wind, shorter tees and scores that more closely resembled the Booz Allen Classic.

Clarke made nine birdies for a one-shot lead over Ernie Els and Justin Leonard. So much for Whistling Straits leaving players in dire straits.

"We got fortunate with the conditions," Clarke said. "The greens were holding. We were able to fire at flags that we were not able to do earlier in the week."

Those weren't the only favorable conditions. The PGA of America - perhaps fearful of the unknown on a 6-year-old course never tested in competition - decided to move up the tees on three holes. That knocked 145 yards off the longest course in major history, so it played only 7,369 yards.

Thirty-nine broke par in the first round, including 21 in the 60s, and 21 others shot even par.

The worst score belonged to John Daly - dashing his Ryder Cup chances - and Rory Sabbatini at 81.

"I think they were pretty nice to us with the tee markers," Jay Haas said after a 4-under 68.

But it wasn't much of a help to Tiger Woods.

Winless in his last nine majors, Woods now has another streak to worry about. With a double bogey on his second hole and 32 putts in his round, Woods shot a 3-over 75 that left him in jeopardy of missing the cut for the first time in 128 tournaments and the first time ever as a professional in a major.

"I didn't hit the ball all that poorly, but I sure putted bad," Woods said.

Vijay Singh, playing with Woods and Daly, got himself into position to end an 0-for-18 drought in the majors with a 5-under 67, putting him in a group with Scott Verplank, Luke Donald and Briny Baird.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson opened with three birdies in the afternoon and shot 69, a good start in his bid to become the first player to finish in the top three in all four majors in the same year.

British Open champion Todd Hamilton shot 72.

RYDING HIGH: Scott Verplank began the PGA Championship in 14th place in the Ryder Cup standings, but just 29 points shy of the eighth spot. The top 10 plus two captain's picks will compete.

"My goal is to make it on points and to play well here," Verplank said a 67 Thursday. "My real goal is to give myself a chance to win this golf tournament, and the Ryder Cup will take care of itself."

John Daly probably cost himself any chance of being a captain's pick when he had a quadruple-bogey 8 on the 18th hole to finish with an 81.

"I've got to play some incredible golf tomorrow just to make the cut," Daly said. "I've been through worse challenges. Hopefully, I'm up for this one."

Chris DiMarco is 15th, and he also had a good start, shooting a 68.

"I would rather be in sixth right now and not have to worry about it," he said. "This week is worth double points."

ACES: Hale Irwin made the first hole-in-one in competition at Whistling Straits, sinking a 3-iron from 185 yards on the par-3 seventh hole.

It was Irwin's sixth career ace on tour and second at the PGA. He had one at Firestone in 1975.