That’s how to start a major, Rory! McIlroy reels off six birdies to kick off his US PGA Championship bid in style – as he looks to finally end his first round curse in pursuit of his fifth major title
- Rory McIlroy’s Major campaigns have been hindered by awful starts recently
- But the Northern Irishman surged into an early lead at the US PGA on Thursday
- The 33-year-old shot five-under through 15 in opening round at Southern Hills
- Tiger Woods, McIlroy’s playing partner, also made an encouraging start
He has been renowned for starting badly in major tournaments in recent years but Rory McIlroy surged into an early lead at the US PGA Championship at Southern Hills on Thursday, blasting four birdies in his opening six holes.
Starting on the 10th, the Northern Irishman reeled off four straight birdies from the 12th to the 15th, before adding two more on his back-nine to move to six-under through 14 as he made an excellent start in his bid to win a fifth major.
However, a bogey at the sixth saw his lead cut back to two ahead of the likes of Cam Smith, Will Zalatoris and Matt Kuchar.
Tiger Woods, McIlroy’s playing partner alongside Jordan Spieth, also began promisingly with two birdies before denting his score with bogey-fives at the 15th and first.
Rory McIlroy hit four straight birdies to begin in style at the US PGA Championship
McIlroy went out in the same group as Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth at Southern Hills
Woods continued to struggle on the back-nine dropping to two-over with three more bogey-fives at the first, second and fourth, with a sole birdie sandwiched in between.
The 15-time Major champion appeared to be limping slightly through the turn as he continues his comeback from the horrific car crash last year.
The US PGA is the one title that Spieth needs to win to complete a career Grand Slam although his Major charge hit a hurdle in his opening round.
The 15-time Major champion continued to struggle on the back-nine dropping to two-over
The US PGA is the one title that Jordan Spieth needs to win to complete a career Grand Slam
The American, who secured his 13th PGA Tour win at the RBC Heritage in April, started well in the blockbuster group of the day with a birdie at the 12th but began to implode with back-to-back bogeys at the 15th and 16th and two on the 18th and sixth to drop back to three-over.
Crowd favourite John Daly also made a good start and was one-under through 15 holes. The 56-year-old was sporting his trademark bold trousers, which were a pattern of multi-coloured skulls.
Playing in the group ahead of Woods and McIlroy, Will Zalatoris, Cam Smith and Viktor Hovland also kickstarted their US PGA campaign with promise.
Crowd favourite John Daly – sporting some bold trousers – also began promisingly
Zalatoris looked to stay hot on McIlroy’s heels as he moved to three-under through 12 and Smith joined him, making seven birdies. Meanwhile, Hovland hit pars throughout his front nine before finally finding a birdie at the second.
Justin Rose also reeled off three straight birdies from the 13th to 15th as a number of big names made encouraging starts.
Elsewhere in the draw, Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler, who plays alongside two other major winners, Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa, is set to go out at 7:36pm UK time. Ireland’s Shane Lowry starts at 7:03pm and Dustin Johnson begins at 7:14pm.
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