The start of play in the second major of the year on the par-70 Oak Hill Country Club course was delayed by one hour and 50 minutes with the course covered by frost.

That meant 11 groups were unable to complete their first round and will be required to do so tomorrow.

The overnight leader is Eric Cole of the United States, who is at five-under-par but has played only 14 holes.

The 34-year-old is competing at only his second major and making his PGA Championship debut.

"I played solid for the most part and got a couple of good breaks when I needed them," Cole said.

"So it was a good day."

DeChambeau, who joined the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf breakaway tour last year, has largely struggled at the majors since his 2020 US Open victory, but made a fine start with a round of 66 to finish four-under.

Another LIV rebel in Dustin Johnson of the US is just one shot adrift.

Johnson is a former world number one and two-time major winner who has twice finished second at the PGA Championship, but he failed to make the midway cut for the last two years at this event.

Canadian Corey Conners and bogey-free world number two Scottie Scheffler of the US are also both at three-under.

Four players in New Zealand's Ryan Fox, Norway's Viktor Hovland, the US' Keegan Bradley and Australia's Adam Scott finished at two-under.

World number one and Masters champion Jon Rahm of Spain faces a battle to make the cut after struggling to six-over.

Defending champion Justin Thomas of the US has work to do to force his way into contention following an opening round of 72.

The second men's golf major of the year is set to continue tomorrow, with only the top 70 players plus ties progressing to the final two rounds of play after the cut.