Work to do for Rory McIlroy after opening day struggles at Quail Hollow

To get mud on your ball, one must first find a fairway. McIlroy only hit three all day in Charlotte as his driver let him down badly.

TOUGH OPENING ROUND: Rory McIlroy lies in 115th place after his opening round at Quail Hollow Pic: AP Photo/Matt York

Perhaps Rory McIlroy feared if he sat in front of a microphone he’d end up talking about things such as “that perfect cake zone”.

It was left to playing partner and defending champion Xander Schauffele to get all Great Charlotte Bake-Off as he and Scottie Scheffler railed against the mud balls which had blighted the opening round of the 2025 PGA Championship for many of the tournament’s leading lights on Thursday.