PGA Championship: Rory McIlroy surprised by lack of birdies on day one

Rory McIlroy had to wait until the 18th hole to make his first birdie of the day as he opened with a disappointing two-over 72 at the PGA Championship.
The Northern Irishman failed to ignite at Bethpage Black on Thursday, making three bogeys and 14 pars in his opening 17 holes before a closing birdie at 18 gave him a glimmer of hope of mounting a stronger challenge on day two.
McIlroy was one of the unlucky ones who got the worst of the conditions late in the day, and failed to convert most of the scant chances he gave himself to get more red numbers on his card.
Like Tiger Woods, who also opened with a 72, McIlroy seemed to set the tone for his round with an errant drive and a dropped shot on the very first hole, and he never really recovered.
Two further errors – a three-putt the eighth green and an overhit tee shot at 15 – cost him two further bogeys, with only a closing birdie at 18 thanks to a pinpoint approach to five feet giving him some joy.
https://twitter.com/PGAChampionship/status/1129157937887207424
Frustratingly, McIlroy failed to convert a number of solid birdie chances, including at 11, 13 and 16, which would have left him in a much healthier position at the end of day one.
“I can’t remember the last time I played a round of golf without a birdie,” he said. “I was like, ‘I’d better birdie this last hole’, and thankfully I did. It was nice to finish that way.
“Hopefully that birdie on the last was the turning point, finish on a positive note and come back tomorrow and hopefully get into red figures for the tournament.
“If you can put the ball in play and give yourself chances, I felt like I gave myself enough chances to shoot something in the mid 60s. But it gives me hope that I can go out tomorrow and shoot a low one.
https://twitter.com/PGAChampionship/status/1129147622462304256
“There’s definitely a big difference between a 75 and a 63, but around this golf course, the margins are fine. And if you miss the fairway by a yard or two, it can make the difference between hitting a shot into 10 feet and having a birdie chance or having to get up-and-down from 100 yards for par.
“But I did that well. I hit enough fairways, felt like I hit enough greens, and hit good putts, and some days they just find a way to not go in. The greens were starting to get a touch bumpy, so that was making it difficult in terms of speed and not trying to be too aggressive with your putts and leaving yourself those three and four footers all the time.
“The birdie at the last was great and if I make a few more putts and get myself into red numbers going into the weekend, I’d be pretty happy.”
Latest
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.
-
News
Max Homa: Tiger Woods now understands the respect he commands from his peers
Homa has made no secret of his admiration for Woods.
-
Ryder Cup
Bernard Gallacher fears Greg Norman is not the man for compromise with LIV Golf
Players who have resigned from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf will not be eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
LPGA Tour
Brooke Henderson takes two-shot lead into final round of Evian Championship
South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon climbed into outright second place on 15 under.