Rory McIlroy endured a difficult opening round at the PGA Championship, carding a 4-over 74 after struggling significantly off the tee throughout his round.
The Northern Irish golfer hit just five of 14 fairways during his round, a driving accuracy rate that hampered his scoring opportunities. McIlroy's round deteriorated late as he bogeyed each of his final four holes.
Driving Woes Plague McIlroy's Round
McIlroy specifically cited his play off the tee as the primary issue during his opening round. The driving struggles left him in difficult positions throughout the day, ultimately contributing to his over-par score.
The four-time major champion has historically been one of the longer drivers on tour, making his accuracy issues particularly notable in a major championship setting where precision typically becomes more crucial.
Late Round Collapse
What started as a manageable round for McIlroy turned problematic down the stretch. His four consecutive bogeys to close the round transformed what could have been a respectable score into a challenging position heading into the second round.
The 74 puts McIlroy behind the early leaders and creates additional pressure for the remaining rounds of the championship. Major championships typically see cut lines around even par or slightly over, meaning McIlroy will need improved play to ensure he plays the weekend.
McIlroy's last major championship victory came at the 2014 PGA Championship, and he has been seeking to end that decade-long drought in golf's biggest events.
