McIlroy confident he has regained spring in his step
WENTWORTH, United Kingdom: Northern Irish golf star Rory McIlroy believes the five-under par 67 he shot in the first round of the PGA Championship at Wentworth on Thursday can be a springboard to a successful summer.
The 29-year-old quadruple major winner — who won here in 2014 but has also missed the cut four times — added he felt he was playing better than he had done since a disappointing final round at The Masters saw him miss out again on the elusive green jacket.
McIlroy made a low key start to his round dropping a shot early on but he hit his stride with four birdies on the inward nine to put himself one off the clubhouse leaders, South African duo Darren Fichardt and Dean Burmester.
“Yes, most definitely,” McIlroy said referring to it being a good platform for him to build on.
“Obviously there’s the next three days to worry about, but you know, on from that, I’ve got a few big tournaments coming up in the States, and then a very busy summer with a lot of important stuff coming up.
“So if I can keep playing like this, it should hopefully be a good summer.”
McIlroy, who began the season in good form winning at Bay Hill on the US Tour and two top three finishes in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, felt he played better than he has done in recent weeks but is still not quite at the level as it was when he won back in 2014.
That proved to be the catalyst for him going on to win two majors (The British Open and the US PGA) as well as several other titles.
“I am not quite as comfortable with my game as I was in 2014,” said McIlroy.
“But it is moving in the right direction.” — AFP