ATLANTA (AFP) - Steve Stricker matched the low round in major golf history, firing a seven-under par 63 on Thursday for a two-shot lead while Tiger Woods stumbled to a opening 77 at the 93rd PGA Championship. And reigning US Open champion Rory McIlroy added to the drama, his status for round two unknown until Friday after straining a tendon in his right wrist hitting a shot on the third hole but playing through the pain and firing a 70. Stricker, a 44-year-old American seeking his first major title, led a US charge atop the leaderboard in hopes of ending the record six-major drought since an American captured one of golf's most coveted crowns. Perennial major contender Stricker had a chance to become the first man to fire a 62 in a major but missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole, his last of the day. "I realized it was for 62. I didn't realize it was for history," Stricker said. "It never really registered. I was just trying to make a birdie and never thought about the history of it. I hit a good putt. It just didn't go in." American Jerry Kelly, a pal of fellow Wisconsinite Stricker, was second on 65 with compatriot Shaun Micheel another shot adrift and US veteran Scott Verplank fourth on 63. No American has won a major title since Phil Mickelson at the 2010 Masters and if no US player hoists the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday, 2011 will be the first year since 1994 with no US major winner. Northern Ireland's McIlroy, who won his breakthrough major title two months ago at Congressional Country Club, suffered his injury after blasting a 7-iron shot near a tree root on the third hole. Doctors made a preliminary diagnosis of the tendon strain after an MRI exam but McIlroy will not decide whether or not he plays Friday until he tests himself in warming up before his scheduled morning start. "If I can strap it up and play again tomorrow I will," McIlroy said. Former World No. 1 and 14-time major winner Woods, in his second week back after a three-month injury layoff, fired his worst opening round in a major, matching his sixth-worst career round to put him at risk of missing the cut. It was the worst 18-holes for Woods at a US-based major and matched the second-worst of his career at any major event, the only poorer total being his 10-over 81 at the 2002 British Open. "I can't just go out there and play by feel," Woods said. "I'm not at that point yet." McIlroy felt pain and swelling in his wrist but fought on, admitting later, "To be honest, I finished with one hand. I jarred my right wrist and right arm."