Rory McIlroy cut an extremely frustrated figure out on the golf course on day one of the PGA Championship.
McIlroy succumbed to an opening-round 74 at Aronimink to leave him seven shots adrift of the leaders with three rounds left to play.
The 37-year-old Northern Irishman won The Masters for the second consecutive time last month.
However, Rory McIlroy will have to make huge improvements on day two of the PGA Championship, if he is to win his second major of the year this week.
McIlroy drove the ball really poorly on Thursday at the PGA Championship, and that cost him dearly.
His poor play was summed up by the fact that he achieved an unwanted career first in Pennsylvania.
Rory McIlroy achieves PGA Tour career first on day one at Aronimink
McIlroy played the 990th round of his PGA Tour career at Aronimink on Thursday.
And things obviously didn’t go to plan for the six-time major champion.
McIlroy made just two birdies along with six bogeys during his opening round of 74.
Four of those bogeys came consecutively at the end of his round.
That was the first time in his entire PGA Tour career that he has ended a round with four consecutive bogeys.
That goes to show just how unusual McIlroy’s round at Aronimink on Thursday actually was.
Expect him to come out firing on Friday though, as he attempts to haul himself back into contention at the PGA Championship.
Rory McIlroy’s stats on day one of the PGA Championship
McIlroy’s long game really wasn’t working on Thursday.
He ranked 111th in strokes gained off the tee and 89th in strokes gained approach.
The 37-year-old was no better around the greens either.
McIlroy ranked 91st in strokes gained around the green and 109th in strokes gained putting.
In total, the Northern Irishman lost 1.739 strokes to the field on day one at Aronimink.
Rory McIlroy clearly has a lot of work to do on his game if he is to challenge to win the PGA Championship this week.
