Masters champion Rory McIlroy recorded just one birdie on the final hole during his return to competitive play at the Truist Championship in North Carolina.
McIlroy’s Opening Round
The Northern Irish golfer had not competed since winning his second consecutive green jacket nearly a month ago. He chose Quail Hollow as a tune-up before the US PGA Championship, the year’s second major. After a rain delay, McIlroy started on the 10th hole and posted an even-par 70 in a round marked by numerous pars and few scoring opportunities.
“I knew that I made so many pars, but I was thinking I can’t remember the last time I played a round of golf and didn’t have a birdie – I was like ‘just try to make one’,” McIlroy said. “I felt like I didn’t make birdie at seven, didn’t make birdie at eight, so then I thought my chance had passed me by, but nice to see one putt go in there at the last.”
McIlroy stays optimistic heading into the weekend. “I wasn’t frustrated, I was hitting good putts, some days they just don’t want to go in,” he noted. “I just needed to figure out the reads a little bit better, but sort of felt like I got into it by the end of the round.”
Leaderboard Highlights
Matt McCarty leads the clubhouse at eight-under 63. Sungjae Im sits one stroke back at seven under, with one hole left when play halted. Sepp Straka also has one hole remaining and shares fifth place at five under alongside England’s Harry Hall.
Tommy Fleetwood and Alex Fitzpatrick lurk at four under. In contrast, Matt Fitzpatrick struggled to a three-over 74.
“I felt like I played well. I played really solid, putted very well. Felt like I holed two or three really key putts,” Fleetwood commented. “It is not an easy golf course. It is an amazing challenge and I think if you shoot under par around here it is always a good day.”
