“Rory McIlroy’s ‘Scrappy’ Start Shocks Golf World – See How He Defied the Odds!”

Rory McIlroy’s description of his opening round at the US PGA Championship as “scrappy” should be a warning to his competitors. McIlroy’s five-under-par 66 at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky suggests he is on the verge of ending his long wait for a fifth major title, a drought that dates back to 2014.

McIlroy, now 35, relied heavily on his putter to stay competitive, particularly before a three-hole stretch of birdies starting at the 5th, his 14th hole. A notable chip-in at the 6th helped him achieve an inward half of 31, leaving him four strokes behind the first-round leader, Xander Schauffele.

“I thought I got a lot out of my game today,” McIlroy admitted. “I am not really happy with how I played but at least happy with the score.” His round included a remarkable save for par at the 18th after hitting his tee shot into the water, a testament to his determination.

As the tournament progresses, McIlroy and the later starters on Friday may face weather challenges, with thunderstorms forecasted for Valhalla. This could disrupt play, reminiscent of the 2014 event at the same venue. Scottie Scheffler, too young to compete in 2014, started his tournament impressively with an eagle from 167 yards on his first hole.

Schauffele’s performance was equally notable. He shot a nine-under-par 62, setting a new course record and achieving the lowest score ever in a US PGA Championship. Missing out on becoming the first to shoot a 61 in a major, Schauffele remains focused on winning his first major title. “Not winning makes you want to win more,” he explained, expressing his drive to improve and work harder.

Robert MacIntyre, matching McIlroy’s score, credited a recent three-week break in Scotland for rejuvenating his game. He reflected on the challenges of living in the US, away from his close-knit community in Oban, and the benefits of returning home to reset mentally.

Other notable performances included Sahith Theegala and Tony Finau, both at six under. Defending champion Brooks Koepka finished at four under, highlighted by an eagle at the 7th hole, showcasing his strong iron play.

Tiger Woods struggled, ending with a 72 after three-putting his final two holes. He lamented his lack of competitive rounds, having not played since the Masters, and the difficulty of transitioning from practice to tournament conditions. Viktor Hovland showed signs of returning to form with a 68, while Bryson DeChambeau also posted a solid three-under.

Local favorite Justin Thomas, alongside Jordan Spieth, sits at two under. Meanwhile, Michael Block, a crowd favorite from the 2023 US PGA, had a disappointing round of 76, including a quadruple bogey, likely ending his hopes for this tournament.

The Valhalla field remains competitive, but McIlroy’s cautious optimism and Schauffele’s record-setting performance highlight the intense battle unfolding for this year’s US PGA Championship.