Rory McIlroy sets early pace at 2022 PGA Championship
The former world No.1 carded a five-under 65 to take a one-shot lead from Thursday's early starters at the second major of the year.
In the 2022 PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy is considered one of the strongest golfers of the field. The Northern Irish golfer has won this major twice in 2012 and 2014, and at The Master 2022 - the first major of the season, he ranked second behind the world No.1 Scottie Scheffler.
McIlroy was in a blockbuster group alongside Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods, but he still stood out with his stellar performance, firing the first 18 holes with 5-under 65 strokes to rise to the top of the leaderboard.
Meanwhile, both of the American’s struggled though, with Spieth carding a two-over 72.
For 15-times major winner Woods, starting on the 10th hole, Tiger Woods got off to a solid start with two birdies in his first five holes. But, clearly struggling with pain in his legs, he shot six over the rest of the round and finished with a 74. This is his second major since returning from a 17-month absence due to a serious leg injury suffered in a car crash in February 2021.
With this 1st round result, Tiger Woods tied for 102nd with 14 other golfers, and Jordan Spieth tied for 66th with 22 other golfers. The heaviest candidate for the championship, world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler finished round 1 with 71 strokes.
McIlroy set the pace and ignited hopes for his fifth major win (and first since 2014). He stayed atop the leaderboard the entire day, though Thomas arguably had just as strong a round in conditions that were decidedly more challenging. Thomas, winner of the 2017 PGA, birdied the 18th hole to shoot 67.
In second place behind Rory McIlroy are two golfers Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge with the same 66 (-4). Justin Thomas, Abraham Ancer and Matt Kurchar with 3-under 67 tied for T-4.
Rory McIlroy’s round 1 recap.
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