RORY IS OFF HIS GREENS

Mac rues Major wobble

RORY McILROY’S slump continued following a nightmare start to the US PGA Championship.

Mcllroy had targeted victory at Baltusrol to end his two-year Major drought.

The Northern Irishman lifted the Wanamaker Trophy in 2012 and 2014 and has recorded three other top-eight finishes.

But the five-time Major champion has a mountain to climb after shooting a four-over 74 that left him nine shots behind early clubhouse leader Jimmy Walker.

Starting at the 10th hole, Mcllroy carded four bogeys in a first round devoid of birdies.

He struggled with his irons and his putter throughout but said he would remain patient as he bids to fight back.

Mcllroy said: “Tee to green is not the problem but when I get to the greens, it’s a different story.

“I had a couple of chances early on that I could not convert and then missed a couple of greens and did not get up and down. I was chasing it from there. “I really struggled with the pace. “The greens look much quicker than they are and two or three times I had putts within 12ft that were downhill and left them short. I ® from PETER LAING need to be more aggressive with my stroke, figure it out and shoot something in the mid-60s and get into the weekend.

“That’s the first objective. I will stay as patient as I can and try to turn it around.”

In contrast, Englishman Ross Fisher (inset) produced an eyecatching start. Fisher, without a tournament win for two years, carded a four-under 66.

Rousing

Fellow Brit Andy Sullivan came just behind him with a 67, while Lee Westwood, Paul Casey and Jamie Donaldson all came in on 69. Westwood parred every hole on the front nine but suffered a mixed bag after that with three bogeys, two birdies and an eagle. Phil Mickelson, fresh from his runner-up spot in The Open, staged a rousing finish to grab a 71 playing alongside McIlroy and defending champion Jason Day. The American – the 2005 US PGA winner at this venue – finished with back-to-back birdies. Day made light of his lack of preparation with 68. The world No.1 caught a bug from his son and spent the build-up visiting his wife in hospital after she suffered an allergic reaction.