Rory McIlroy is well off the pace after an underwhelming start to the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.
Following his emotional Masters triumph at Augusta a month ago, McIlroy was among the favourites for the year’s second major, played on a course where he has achieved four wins on tour.
However, McIlroy hit just three fairways in regulation and was fortunate not to find the water with a number of pulled tee shots in an unexpectedly poor display.
The Masters champion finished Thursday morning the lowest of the Irish contingent, eight strokes adrift of the lead currently held America’s Ryan Gerrard.
Playing in the headline grouping alongside Scottie Scheffler and defending champion…