McIlroy Shoots 74, Misses Five Fairways at Pga Championship Cut Line

Rory McIlroy opened the pga championship cut line with a 4-over 74 at Aronimink Golf Club, and his margin after Thursday was already seven shots behind the leaders. He hit just five fairways, leaving him with a long climb if he wants to stay in contention.

McIlroy at Aronimink Golf Club

McIlroy's round turned into a string of missed right drives and bogeys. He missed right on the fourth, sixth, seventh and ninth holes, then again on the 10th, where he advanced the ball only 70 yards from a horrible lie before making bogey.

He said afterward, "I'm just not driving the ball well enough," adding, "It's been a problem all year for the most part." He also said, "I honestly thought I'd figured it out."

Five Fairways, Seven Back

The opening round came at a venue where scoring was difficult on Thursday, but McIlroy's own numbers were the sharper issue. He led the PGA TOUR in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee this season, yet he managed only five fairways and a 74 in the first round.

The pattern is not new at this championship. McIlroy opened the PGA Championship with a 74 at Quail Hollow last year and finished T47, and since the event moved from August to May in 2019 he has finished no better than seventh.

That leaves him with a familiar burden after one round: another poor start, and another chase from behind. The reigning Masters champion has already put himself in position where the rest of the week has to be far cleaner than Thursday.