MEDINAH, Ill. – Two weeks ago yesterday, Billy Mayfair was on an operating table hoping he could live a normal life again, much less play competitive golf.

Mayfair, 40, had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent immediate surgery. The procedure went well, the cancer looked to be contained and Mayfair was given permission by his doctors to play in the 88th PGA Championship.

He responded with an opening round 3-under-par 69 yesterday. That’s the same score Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson managed in their opening rounds at Medinah Country Club.

“The biggest thought of the day was, I was just so happy to be on the first tee,” said Mayfair, a five-time winner and a Tour vet since 1987. “The sun was out and it was a beautiful sight. And to know where I was two weeks ago, I can’t explain how great it was just to be here.”

Mayfair was actually 6-under par through 11 holes. But he suffered back-to-back bogeys at 13 and 14 and another bogey on the par-4 16th. Mayfair said he got tired at the end of his round, which is understandable.

“I wasn’t able to work out, get into shape and do my usual exercising that I normally do before I come here,” Mayfair said. “I took two weeks off before I was even diagnosed, so to not play for a month, mentally and physically wore me out.”

Still, he wouldn’t change a thing. Mayfair wouldn’t speculate on his chances of being in contention come Sunday. His recent experiences have taught him to enjoy one day at a time.

“I almost had tears in my eyes,” he said. “To all the fans across the country who well-wished me and sent me messages, and to all these fans here in Chicago who were just wonderful to me and clapped for me and cheered me on, it was a great place to come back to.”