Rory McIlroy today gave himself another unpleasant memory of Atlanta Athletic Club’s 475-yard third hole.

SCOTT VERPLANK was vying with Steve Stricker at the top of the leaderboard last night but Tiger Woods was in freefall as he stared at the prospect of his first PGA Championship missed cut in 14 starts.

RORY McILROY’S hopes of a second Major championship victory in three starts hung in the balance last night after the US Open winner injured his wrist during his opening round at the 93rd PGA Championship.

IT wasn’t on the first ball that caused a splash, nor was it on the next one. But at the par-three 17th — Ryo Ishikawa’s eighth hole — when his tee shot fell short and for a swim with the fish, the thought occurred.

IF Darren Clarke’s British Open victory at Sandwich proved anything it was that the adage about horses for courses still holds firm when it comes to golf’s Major championships.

MUCH has changed for Tiger Woods since he last sat in a major championship interview room but it was his old caddie Steve Williams which occupied media minds at his pre-PGA Championship press conference yesterday.

PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON believes Pete Cowen could be the new coach to help him solve some swing riddles and emerge from his three-year slump.

Apart from the financial benefits - more than £76,000 - Padraig Harrington is glad he prepared for the US PGA championship by playing in the Buick Open last week.

Tiger Woods has experienced another painful lesson about the problem of autograph hunters.