Rory McIlroy has revealed he is carrying a second injury after clearly in pain on day one of the Memorial.
The double Major winner had just 22 putts in a sizzling score of a nine under par 63 to storm to the front in the $US 6.2m event but most interest after his round centered on his left knee.
McIlroy injured his knee on the seventh hole but after posting his equal lowest ever opening score on the PGA Tour the 25 year old revealed he’s also carrying a lower back injury he sustained on day two of last week’s BMW PGA Championship.
“Honestly, I don’t know how I hurt my knee,” he said.
Rory McIlroy shoots a sizzling 63 on day one of the Memorial. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“I felt it in taking my second shot on the 7th and my foot may have got stuck in the ground a little bit and forced my knee. So I am going to get some treatment on it now and have a physio look at it but it was painful right after I hit shots but then I sort of walked it off before hitting my next shot and then it became painful again.
“A little of ice and some treatment and hopefully it will be alright for tomorrow.”
In speaking of the injury McIlroy also revealed he is carrying a lower back complaint he sustained on day two of last week’s BMW PGA Championship.
“The knee is a new injury and I haven’t felt this before and I have never struggled with my knees before and it’s always been my back, and I tweaked my back last Friday at Wentworth so I am still struggling with that a little bit.
“But as for the knee, I don’t know where it’s come from but I will see the physio and let them work on it.”
McIlroy had just 22 putts in his round on the Muirfield course and despite a 14th hole double bogey was pleased with his efforts.
“I put the knee concern out of my mind and when I was over the golf shots I just pretended it wasn’t there and tried to play the best shots I could even if it was going to hurt after a drive or hitting an iron shot into a par five.
“But I sort of just walked it off.
“I played really well from tee-to-green and holed a lot of putts, as well. I had two really good ups-and-downs at the last two holes and it could have been even better apart from that double bogey on 14.
“So I am really happy and it’s a really good opening
