Rory McIlroy is in a bullish mood ahead of the PGA Championship next week despite a “rusty” start to his Truist Championship defence.
The Grand Slam winner has been enjoying time off the course since his Augusta triumph last month. McIlroy shot a four-under 66 in his opening round in Philadelphia, five shots behind leader Keith Mitchell.
He is using this opportunity to warm up for the second major of the year at Quail Hollow, where he has won four times on previous visits. McIlroy’s round consisted of six birdies and two bogeys while Shane Lowry shot an impressive 64 to put him three back of the lead.
McIlroy said: “It think it worked out fine. I drove the ball pretty well. I missed it in a couple of spots but was sort of able to get away with it.
“The mistakes I made mostly were from around the greens, the three-putt on 12 and then making 6 at 15. Apart from that, I played pretty good.
“I felt like I was a little rusty out there, just hadn’t played in a week and I hadn’t really done a ton of practice, especially like on and around the greens. I certainly can tidy a few things up, but overall a decent day.”
McIlroy’s first major win in 11 years at The Masters was a huge weight off his shoulders, made obvious by his emotional reaction following his winning putt.
The internal pressure has been lifted and McIlroy joked the press will now need to find a new angle following his recent achievement. The Northern Irishman added: “Hopefully in two weeks time we’re talking about me being a six-time Major champion instead of a five time major champion.
“I don’t know. I mean, I was really referencing, like that specific tournament and sort of what we talk about in that building, you know, every year for the last 10 years.
“But there’s enough great story lines in golf, whether it be like Scottie won by a million last week and seems to be playing back to his best.
“You’ve got Jordan Spieth going for the career Grand Slam next week. You’ve got a lot of exciting stuff happening in the women’s game.
“So there’s always great storylines in golf. And you know, it certainly doesn’t just have to be about me.”
Seamus Power ensured he’ll be competing at the PGA Championship and he’ll be more than encouraged after a strong start at the Myrtle Beach Classic.
The Waterford man shot a seven-under 64, to leave him tied in second and one shot behind the leader.
Categories
- Athletics (5)
- Aussie Rules (1)
- Basketball (12)
- Camogie (3)
- College American football (1)
- Combat (185)
- Cricket (17)
- Cycling (4)
- Darts (36)
- Editors-picks (13)
- Football (1210)
- Formula-1 (14)
- GAA (308)
- Golf (162)
- Hockey (1)
- Horse Racing (172)
- interviews (3)
- LGFA (3)
- MLB Baseball (2)
- NFL (23)
- ROI Radar (1)
- Rowing (1)
- Rugby (188)
- Snooker (6)
- Swimming (3)
- Tennis (17)
- Uncategorized (17)
- WWE (1)
