Rory McIlroy delivered a blunt assessment of his opening round at the PGA Championship, describing it as "s***" after a disastrous finish saw him card four consecutive bogeys. The Masters champion ended the day at four over par, seven shots behind the leaders, and pointed to persistent driving issues as the root cause of his struggles.
McIlroy's Frustration with Driving
McIlroy admitted that his driving has been a recurring problem throughout the season, particularly under pressure. "When the heat is on, my shots tend to go wayward," he said. The Northern Irishman also noted that the Aronimink Golf Club course proved more penalising for missed fairways than he had anticipated. Before the tournament, he had described it as a "bash driver down" course, but the reality was different.
Playing Partners Perform Better
While McIlroy struggled, his playing companions fared better. Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth both finished their rounds at one under par. Rahm's score was boosted by an eagle and a chip-in birdie, while Spieth continues his quest to complete the career grand slam. However, Rahm's round was not without controversy. He accidentally hit a volunteer with a divot during a frustrated swing and later issued an apology, expressing deep regret and a commitment to make amends.
McIlroy's blunt one-word expletive encapsulated his disappointment after a round that started with promise but unravelled in the closing holes. He will need a significant improvement in the second round to make the cut and contend for the title.
