McILROY REVELS IN 65 BUT HARRINGTON HAS HARD TIME OF IT

RORY McILROY was buoyant after shooting 65 to take the early lead in the US PGA Championship at Southern Hills and ‘get off to a good start in a major for a change’.

The Northern Irishman ended his run of poor first rounds in the Grand Slam events with a wonderful effort that he enthused was ‘close to the complete package’.

McIlroy added: ‘It would have been complete but for a couple of bogeys late on but I can’t complain. I hit the ball so well for most of the day.’

It was McIlroy’s lowest opening round in a major for 11 years, when he began with a 65 in the US Open and went on to complete a runaway victory.

‘It’s important now not to get carried away. I hit the ball great. I knew I could build on my finalround 64 at the Masters. But it won’t mean anything unless I can keep it going.’

McIlroy held a one-shot lead among the morning wave over Americans Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge. By stark contrast, playing partner Tiger Woods could only manage a 74 and admitted he is struggling with the right leg that was almost amputated following his horrific car accident in Los Angeles in February last year.

‘My leg is fine until I play golf,’ revealed the 46-year-old. ‘I just can’t load weight on to it. That hurts, pressing off it hurts, and walking and twisting hurts.

‘Consequently, I hit a lot of bad iron shots and I left myself in some bad spots where it was difficult to save par. I’ve felt better emotionally, too. It made for a frustrating day.’

Pádraig Harrington found the going tough as he signed for an opening 77, a full 12 shots behind McIlroy.

The 2008 US PGA champion was hanging in on three over par with five holes to play but four bogeys saw him slip back.

Harrington (above), who came into the championship on the back of two runner-up places on the Champions Tour, ran up a double bogey at the 2nd hole and was in constant bunker trouble thereafter.

At the fourth, eighth, 10th, 14th, 15th and 16th, Harrington found greenside bunkers but each time was unable to get up and down for par. He bagged two birdies, at the third and 12th, where he twice dialled his approach to within two feet.

On the demanding 18th, Harrington missed the green to the left and was unable to get up and down to save par.

He has it all to do today to make the cut for the weekend.