Rory McIlroy slumps with scrappy opening round at 2025 PGA Championship as Ryan Gerard sets early pace at Quail Hollow
RORY McIlroy's bid for a sixth major title and a second leg of the calendar Grand Slam got off to a stuttering start at the US PGA Championship.
The
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Rory McIlroy carded a poor opening round at Quail Hollow
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The Down star carded a three-over-par round at the PGA Championship - and lies well back down the leaderboard
The Northern Irishman started on the back-nine and looked composed early, he picked up a birdie on the 10th before making the turn at level par.
But it all began to unravel on the front nine as the world number struggled to ignite.
He bogeyed the 3rd, 7th, and 9th - the latter two closing holes coming after another birdie on 8.
He'll need a sharp bounce-back in Friday's second round to keep his title hopes alive at the venue where he's won four times before on the
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He found a small silver lining on the final hole, the 531-yard par-4 9th, where he made a gritty par to limit further damage.
Elsewhere
They pair are one behiind Seamus Power, who mounted the best score for an Irish golfer on day one of the PGA of America's major.
World number one Scottie Scheffler, who was playing alongside the Grand Slam winner, carded a -2 round of 71.
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Ryan Gerard holds the clubhouse lead at time of publish with the late starters currently on course.
The American, who earned a special invite, took full advantage as he posted a five under par round of 68 on a day when many of the big names struggled.
Rory McIlroy reacts to Bryson DeChambeau's post-Masters comments ahead of PGA Championship
Europe Ryder Cup skipper finished -4 after a round of 69, while his American counterpart Keegan Bradley signed-off for a round of 70 with both firmly in the mix.
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The Irish Sun
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- The Irish Sun
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US Open talking points: Can McIlroy or DeChambeau show the necessary patience to stop Scheffler?
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US Open: ‘Unapologetically difficult' Oakmont to provide serious challenge for McIlroy and Lowry
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