Rory McIlroy suffers dismal opening day at PGA Championship as Scottie Scheffler blasts ‘mud balls’

But the double bogey he ran up at the 16th hole, on his way to a bitterly disappointing 74, could prove a lot more damaging than the pair of doubles he carded in the opening round of his Masters victory.

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Rory McIlroy suffered another dose of double trouble in the first round of the PGA ChampionshipCredit: GETTY

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The Northern Irishman ran up a disappointing round of 74Credit: AP

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The 2025 Masters champion couldn’t hide his frustrationsCredit: GETTYMcIlroy managed to salvage a level par 72 at Augusta – and followed up with a pair of 66s that propelled him to the victory that finally completed a career Grand Slam

This time, he finds himself at three over par, with a much bigger mountain to climb if he is to win back-to-back Majors for the second time in his career.

And he has to make up a five-shot deficit on co-favourite Scottie Scheffler, after the world No.1 ground out a gutsy two-over-par 69, even though he was also well below his best.

That gap will worry McIlroy more than the eight shots separating him from early pace-setter Ryan Gerrad, after the American journeyman opened with a five-under-par 66.

The World No.2’s big problem was blatantly obvious – his driving, a part of his game that is usually his most potent weapon.

McIlroy’s power and accuracy have been key components in his four previous victories at Quail Hollow, allowing him to overpower a course that has always seemed a perfect fit for his game.

But he hit just three out of 14 fairways, and the wild hook onto the thick stuff on 16 was one of the worst tee shots he has hit in years.

McIlroy started his round on the tenth, so he had plenty of time to bounce back from that double bogey, which is exactly what playing partners Scheffler and Xander Schauffele did, even though they BOTH doubled 16 as well!

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Rory McIlroy’s career achievements

By Ian Tuckey

Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 – and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.

Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.

And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.

Here’s a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:

• 2007 – topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.

Turned professional in September.

Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.

• 2009 – reached the world top 50.

• 2010 – won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.

Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.

Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.

• 2011 – Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.

But won his first major the following month – the US Open.

Named Sports Person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.

• 2012 – lifted the PGA Championship.

Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.

• 2013 – signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.

• 2014 – his best year to date, majors wise.

Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.

Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.

Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.

Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.

• 2016 – Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.

Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.

• 2017 – failed to win all year.

But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.

And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.

• 2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.

• 2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1

• 2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.

• 2022 – runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.

• 2023 – helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.

• 2024 – struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.

But then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.

Their approach shots ended in the water guarding the green, even though they were hitting from the middle of the fairway.

Both complained that it was due to “mud balls”, after the USPGA controversially decided not to allow players to lift, clean and place on a course that had been pummelled by rainstorms during the practice days.

Scheffler was clearly furious at that decision, saying: ”It’s frustrating to hit the ball in the middle of the fairway and get mud on it and have no idea where it’s going to go.

“I understand it’s part of the game, but there’s nothing worse for a player.

“You spend your whole life trying to learn how to control a golf ball.

“And due to a rules decision, all of a sudden, you have absolutely no control over where that golf ball goes.

“But I don’t make the rules. I just have to deal with the consequences.”

But Scheffler never seems to get too flustered.

You spend your whole life trying to learn how to control a golf ball. And due to a rules decision, all of a sudden, you have absolutely no control over where that golf ball goes.”

Scottie Scheffler

Two birdies in the last two holes rounded off that 69, while Schauffle played the back nine in one under to sign for a 72.

It seemed incredible that the best three players on the planet could all double-bogey the same hole.

And it was almost as amazing to see European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald go bogey-free at a Major for the first time in ten years!

Donald, 47, only plays a limited schedule these days.

But his four under par 67 equalled his lowest ever opening round at a Major, at the 2004 USPGA – and he only hit half of the 14 fairways.

Perhaps he can tell McIlroy how it’s done….