Updated at 11.59pm.
RORY MCILROY’S RECENT good form continued at the PGA Championship today with the world number one recording a 5-under par first round at the year’s final major despite opening his back nine by dropping three shots in two holes.
The Co. Down golfer – aiming to win his third title on the spin as well as back-to-back majors – had been cruising on -3 through nine holes when he hooked his approach shot out of bounds on the par five tenth to record a double bogey.
He followed that with a bogey on the 11th before a run of four consecutive birdies put the 25-year old back in the mix.
A birdie on the last for a 66 leaves him just one shot adrift of co-leader Lee Westwood after nine birdies helped the Englishman to a six-under total in the first round at Valhalla Golf Club.
Westwood – who has numerous second and third place finishes at grand slam events without ever winning – shares the lead with Americans Kevin Chappell and Ryan Palmer after birding his final four holes.
With the notable exception of Shane Lowry the news is not so good for the other Irish contenders. The Offaly native finished just three shots off the lead with Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell both on two-over with lots of work to do tomorrow to make the cut.
The weekend already looks to be an impossible task for Darren Clarke as the former British Open winner sits on +8 through 16 holes of his first round.
Tiger Woods, who overcame a back injury to take part this week, finished at three-over following four bogeys.
