Closing birdie puts Denmark's Olesen atop PGA Championship

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen sank a 27-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to grab a one-stroke lead early in Thursday's opening round of the PGA Championship.

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen sank a 27-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to grab a one-stroke lead early in Thursday's opening round of the PGA Championship.

The 27-year-old Dane birdied three of the final five holes to fire a four-under-par 67 at Quail Hollow, nudging ahead of US Open winner Brooks Koepka and his American compatriots Gary Woodland and Grayson Murray.

Olesen, ranked 78th, sank a seven-foot birdie putt at the second, missed the green and made bogey at the par-3 sixth, then answered by reaching the green in two at the par-5 seventh and two putting for birdie from 60 feet, then sinking a 15-footer from the fringe on eight.

Olesen birdied 14 from 12 feet and the par-5 15th after chipping to three feet. he missed the green at the par-3 17th but hit his longest putt at 18 to grab the lead.

British Open winner Jordan Spieth, trying to complete a career Grand Slam at age 24, shot a 72 to stand five strokes off the pace.