Chris Gotterup brought some Jersey grit to the PGA Championship on Friday, weathering a biting wind and slick greens to card a 5-under 65—the lowest round of the tournament so far. The 26-year-old, who grew up just 100 miles away and played college golf at Rutgers, looked right at home at Aronimink despite the brutal conditions.

“Today would definitely be one of those days where I would be on the couch and I would be like, ‘How did he hit it there?’ and ‘How did he do this?’” Gotterup said. “And then you’re out there, and it just feels like it’s impossible.”

Gotterup, a three-time PGA Tour winner since July who now sits at No. 10 in the world, stayed patient with a pair of birdies on the back nine before closing his front nine with three straight short putts for birdies. His 65 set the early pace in a field that included plenty of drama.

Scottie Scheffler, who shared the 18-hole lead for the first time in a major, had a rougher start. The world No. 1 didn’t hit a fairway until his ninth hole and stumbled to three bogeys in his first four holes, all from the rough. He settled down to card a 1-over 71, two shots behind early leader Alex Smalley (69).

Hideki Matsuyama also made a move, shooting 67 as he chases his second major title. And keep an eye on 21-year-old Aldrich Potgieter from South Africa, who powered through the front nine and is on track to become the youngest golfer with a 36-hole lead at a major since Tiger Woods’ historic 1997 Masters win.

With temperatures hovering in the low 50s and gusts making Aronimink feel even colder, the course lived up to its reputation as a brutal test. “There were some pins that didn’t even look like they were on the green,” Gotterup noted. But for those with the right gear—and the right mindset—the challenge is part of the thrill.