Rory McIlroy's pursuit of a seventh major championship got off to an unsettled start with an opening bogey at the US PGA Championship. The Northern Irishman, who had overcome pre-tournament toe issues, is attempting to become only the fifth player since 1960 to capture the first two majors of the season, following his second consecutive Masters victory last month.
McIlroy began his campaign from the 10th hole in a marquee group alongside two-time major champion Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth, who is seeking a win this week to complete a career grand slam. McIlroy had described the Aronimink course, which has seen several trees removed, as a venue where players can “bash driver down and then work it out.”
However, his opening drive strayed to the right, catching a fortunate bounce into the rough on the edge of the fairway. He could only advance the ball just over 100 yards towards the green. His approach left a 14-foot putt for par, which slid by on the left side. Rahm also dropped a shot at the first, missing the green to the right and seeing his initial chip attempt roll back to his feet.
Victory this week would elevate McIlroy past Sir Nick Faldo's tally of six majors, making him the most successful European golfer of the modern era. Meanwhile, former Open champion Cameron Smith birdied the first and fourth holes to join the early leaders, two strokes behind German Stephan Jaeger.
A host of prominent names began their tournaments just ahead of McIlroy, including three-time champion Brooks Koepka in a group with 2024 winner Xander Schauffele and England's Tyrrell Hatton. England's Alex Fitzpatrick was among the first groups to tee off at 6:45 a.m. local time and started in fine form, birdieing the first two holes. The 27-year-old has been in strong form this season, with wins on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, plus a fourth-place finish at last week's Truist Championship. He was set back by a bogey on the fifth after finding one of Aronimink's 174 bunkers.
