PGA Day 1 Wrap: "You gotta write about the golfer...who used to be the auto racer Anukjit Hirunratanakorn"

Looks like a pretty stock PGA Championship opening day: good scoring, brief rain delay, nice mix of names on the leaderboard topped by Adam Scott and Jim Furyk, Tiger said he rushed a short putt after his group was put on the clock (Ron Sirak reports), Phil summoned Butch Harmon after a wild finish (video) (Bob Harig reports), and there was one offbeat tale in 68-shooter Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Dave Kindred with Aphibarnrat's story.

He is 24 years old. He has been called "Asia's John Daly" in allusion to his laundry-bag physique and extravagant swing. This season he has won on both the European Tour and Asian Tour. He has earned over $1.5 million. When he didn't qualify here, the PGA of America used it Eligibility Code 12 -- "the right to invite additional players" -- to get him in the 156-man field. The PGA Media Guide noted that he'd once been an auto racer. Also, he was "previously known as Anukjit Hirunratanakorn."

Irresistible. You gotta write about the golfer Kiradech Aphibarnrat who used to be the auto racer Anukjit Hirunratanakorn who goes two-under-par on one of the world's great golf courses just a month after shooting an 85 -- yes, an 85 -- in the British Open.