 Sweden's Stenson won in Qatar earlier this year |
Sweden's Henrik Stenson led the challenge from continental Europe with a four-under 68 in the first-round of the 88th USPGA at Medinah. The 30-year-old, set for a Ryder Cup debut in September, finished with four birdies in his last five holes.
Spain's Sergio Garcia was three under but Ireland's Padraig Harrington struggled to 75 following the death of friend Darren Clarke's wife.
Dane Thomas Bjorn was also hit hard by the tragedy and slumped to an 80.
Stenson, who won in Qatar earlier this year to cement his Ryder Cup spot, has been lacklustre in recent weeks and is in need of a good performance to boost his confidence going into the event at the K Club.
Garcia, 26, reached the turn four under but could make no further inroads and three-putted the 16th, where in 1999 he hit a stunning shot with his eyes shut and romped down the fairway after it as he finished runner-up to Tiger Woods.
"It's a shame I go and miss a short putt on probably my favourite hole on the golf course," Garcia said.
Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez ended two under with Sweden's Jesper Parnevik and Robert Karlsson one under.
Another Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal hit back from an outward 39 with an incoming 33 for level par alongside US-based Swede Carl Pettersson and countryman Daniel Chopra.
But Sweden's Niclas Fasth and Johan Edfors carded a 74 and a 76 respectively, while Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano signed for a three-over 75 on his USPGA debut, one shot better than German Bernhard Langer.
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