JORDAN Smith's major championship career will tee off at 7.15pm British time in North Carolina on Thursday when he lines up in the 99th US PGA Championship.
Bowood's Smith, whose place at the final major of the season was confirmed after his maiden European Tour victory at the Porsche European Open nine days ago, jetted out on Sunday to prepare for the tournament at Quail Hollow Golf Club near Charlotte.
The Derry Hill player, 24, will tee off on the first hole alongside Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas and American Bryson Dechambeau, both recent winners on the USA's PGA Tour.
Dechambeau won last month's John Deere Classic in Ilinois - his maiden tour title - while Vegas lifted the RBC Canadian Open title in Ontario two weeks ago.
The trio begin their second round on the 10th on Friday at 2.05pm British time.
JORDAN SMITH PREVIEWS HIS US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUT AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT TOMORROW AND IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD, PLUS FOLLOW HIS PROGRESS HERE FROM THURSDAY
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