Promising start fades as another major slips by for Rory McIlroy

McIlroy’s momentum came to a thud – or more literally, a chunk – on the par-3 sixth that was the beginning of his derailment on Saturday as well

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after missing a putt on the sixth hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Matt York)

It seemed all too familiar, almost predictable. 

A day after skulking away without comment after two desultory days of golf left Rory McIlroy staring up at 16 names and a nine-shot chasm ahead of him on the leaderboard, he started rattling the backdoor at the PGA Championship.