
Rory McIlroy off to mixed start in bid for successive majors at PGA Championship
McIlroy's nerve-shredding victory at Augusta National made him just the sixth male golfer to complete a career grand slam and gave him a fifth major title, one behind Sir Nick Faldo.
And the world number two had every chance of equalling Faldo's tally at the first opportunity at Quail Hollow, a venue where he won his first PGA Tour title in 2010 and has since claimed three more victories, including last year.
Opening birdie for McIlroy 👏 pic.twitter.com/RuJEBimnD1
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) May 15, 2025
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.
That shot was immediately given back on 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.
At level par McIlroy was three shots behind New Zealand's Ryan Fox and a trio of Englishmen, with Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, Tommy Fleetwood and former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick all three under 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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Glasgow Times
43 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Emma Raducanu makes short work of opening win at Queen's
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The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Emma Raducanu makes short work of opening win at Queen's
But wild card Raducanu was in fine form on Tuesday afternoon on centre court – the day before inaugurated as the Andy Murray Arena – where she dispatched Bucsa in just one hour and four minutes, much to the delight of the home crowd who were behind the 2021 US Open champion the whole way. Emma Raducanu was 'locked in' during a comprehensive straight sets win (John Walton/PA) 'I must say I was quite locked in today,' Raducanu said on court. 'I'm very pleased with my performance. I was a little bit nervous for sure at the beginning, it's my first time playing on this court at Queen's in London, and the support is incredible. 'I'm still trying to find my groove on this surface, there are certain shots that I feel like I am a little bit late on, so I'm working on that. 'I knew today was going to be a very difficult match. I actually lost to Cristina earlier on in the year, so I was really trying to fight and make sure that didn't happen again. 'I was really trying to fight and get myself into the second round, because I just want to stay here playing at Queen's as many matches as I possibly can.' This was Raducanu's first appearance on the west London venue's marquee stage after making her Queen's debut on the smaller Court One on Monday with British number one Boulter. Katie Boulter finally saw off Ajla Tomljanovic (John Walton/PA) The latter also punched her ticket to the second round but in much grittier fashion, battling to a 7-6 (4) 1-6 6-4 victory over Australian qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic. 'When I walked out it actually surpassed what I thought it would feel like when I kind of imagined it,' said Boulter, adding: 'I think it's very easy to get caught up in just trying to get your first grass court match, also coming to such an historic venue as well, which holds a lot of purpose and a lot of familiar feelings when I've come here before.' Earlier, Heather Watson set up a second-round meeting with fourth seed and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina after upsetting world number 27 Yulia Putintseva, 107 places above her in the rankings, 6-4 6-3. Former British number one Watson won all four of her break points to see off her Kazakh opponent in an hour and 22 minutes. Tuesday's results ensured four Britons qualified for the round of 16 after Sonay Kartal set up a meeting with American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova by beating Daria Kasatkina 6-1 3-6 6-3 on Monday. It was not to be for British wildcard Fran Jones, however, who was defeated in straight 6-2 6-4 sets by American McCartney Kessler, while the other all-British pair in the doubles draw, Kartel and Jodie Burrage, were knocked out in a nervy 7-6 (8) 7-6 (1) defeat to Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe.


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy snubbed by Amanda Balionis in surprise US Open prediction
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