Five-star Mac gets back in the swing

RORY McILROY is dreaming of a golden summer after making his best-ever start to the European flagship BMW PGA Championship yesterday.

The Northern Irishman opened with a five-under-par 67 at a damp Wentworth, to set the standard for what he hopes will be a stellar

2018.

It was one stroke better than when he won the tournament in

2014, to spark an extraordinary season when McIlroy won two Majors and became world No.1.

Now ranked eighth after a mixed start to 2018, he is sitting two shots behind Danish leader Lucas Bjerregaard and in a pack including England’s Richard Bland, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Sam Horsfield, with Chris Paisley and Bradley Dredge a shot behind.

European No.1 Tommy Fleetwood was four off the lead, while local hero Paul Casey could manage only a level-par 72.

McIlroy was beaming. “To shoot a 67 to start off is great,” he said.

“I played a lot better than I have in the last couple of weeks.

“Good shots, better drives, I putted well for the main part – if I can do more of the same over the next three days I should have a decent chance.

“After this I have a few big tournaments in the States and a very busy summer with a lot of important stuff.”

It could have been even better but for a photographer’s camera going off on his backswing as he played his second shot to the par-five 18th.

McIlroy mishit his approach, missed a three-foot birdie putt and gave the culprit a filthy stare.

“It’s a tough enough golf shot without something going off at the top of your swing, but it happens,” said McIlroy.

“I’m sure that he didn’t mean to do it.”

Ian Poulter was also less than happy after a 74, saying: “I’m extremely angry, I’m extremely frustrated, I’m extremely disappointed.

“Let’s just leave it at that because if I use any other words then I’m going to look like a complete t**.”