McIlroy’s PGA Opening 73 On Par With Three Of Four Quail Hollow Wins

5 months ago by Comments Off on McIlroy’s PGA Opening 73 On Par With Three Of Four Quail Hollow Wins

Grand Slam winning Rory McIlroy has won three of his four Wells Fargo Championships by not breaking par on day one at Quail Hollow in suburban Charlotte, North Carolina.

McIlroy in a first major championship since his emotional triumph earlier this year at Augusta National birdied the first hole on one day one of the 2025 PGA Championship but it would prove the highwater mark of his  round one challlenge in the 107th hosting of the PGA Championship.

The World No. 2 walked from the course 17 holes later signing fo a three-over 74 and find himself late on day one just inside the top-120 in the 156-player field.

McIlroy had captured a maiden PGA Tour title in 2009 at Quail Hollow commencing with an opening 70, he captured the 2015 Wells Fargo starting with a 72 and posted the same score on day one in winning the 2021 Wells Fargo.

He success in the 2024 Wells Fargo, and his 26th PGA Tour win, was built on posting a opening 67.

Today Rory McIlroy, who has commenced his round from the 10th hole, rode his luck as he made an error-strewn start to his bid for back-to-back major titles in the 107th US PGA Championship.

And indication of the seeming rust in McIlroy’s game was that he hit just one fairway in his first nine holes as he covered the back nine in one over par to lie five shots off the early pace being surprisingly set by Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.

McIlroy was among the early starters from the 10th tee in Thursday’s first round and despite missing the fairway and green on the downhill par five, he holed from 10 feet for birdie after a well-judged pitch.

He gave the shot back at the next with a disappointing three-putt and McIlroy had to save par on the 12th with a deft chip after his approach span back off the side of the green.

McIlroy was unable to find the green on the reachable par-four 14th and although he hit a good pitch to four feet, he could not convert the birdie attempt.

Another wayward drive on the par-five 15th stopped just a few feet from the water and McIlroy was able to hit a seven iron just short of the green, from where he two-putted for birdie.

But after pulling another tee shot on the 16th, McIlroy’s back foot slipped as he tried to pitch the ball back into play and he missed the green with his approach on his way to a double bogey.

Playing partners Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion and world number one, also made six after pulling their approaches into the water as the first hole of the so-called “Green Mile” closing stretch claimed three high-profile victims.

McIlroy almost chipped in for birdie on the 17th before yet another pulled tee shot on the 18th stopped just short of the creek which runs the length of the hole, from where he was able to find the putting surface and make par.

Despite torrential rain disrupting practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday, tournament organisers had opted not to implement preferred lies at Quail Hollow, raising the prospect of more complaints about “mud balls” as voiced by Jordan Spieth at the Masters.

A statement from the PGA of America, released on Wednesday evening, read: “We do not plan to play preferred lies.

“The playing surfaces are outstanding and are drying by the hour. We are mowing the fairways this evening. We are looking forward to an exciting opening round to the 107th PGA Championship.”

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