Northern Irishman delighted with start but ‘won’t get carried away’
RORY McIlroy was buoyant after shooting 65 to take the early lead in the USPGA Championship at Southern Hills and ‘get off to a good start in a major for a change’. He ended his run of poor first rounds in the Grand Slam events with a wonderful effort that he insisted 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,’ he said. ‘I hit the ball great, as I have been doing for a while now. I knew I could build on my final-round 64 at the Masters and I’ve done that. But it won’t mean anything unless I can keep it going. I’ll need to play as well for the next three days if I am going to have a chance to win.’ McIlroy held a one-shot lead among the morning wave over Americans Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge.
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 February last year. ‘My leg is fine until I play golf,’ said the 46-year-old. ‘I just can’t load weight on to it. It made for a frustrating day. Now it’s a case of having a few ice baths this afternoon.’ Jordan Spieth, the third member of the illustrious group, was also downcast after a 72.