Rory McIlroy won the US PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014 2025 US PGA Championship first round Leaders:-5Gerard (US);-4Donald (Eng), Fox (NZ), Jaeger (Ger), Bradley (US), Smalley (US) Selected others:-3Fitzpatrick (Eng), MacIntyre (Sco);-2Scheffler (US);-1Rahm (Spa) Fleetwood (Eng);+1Schauffele (US);+2Lowry (Ire);+3McIlroy (NI) Full leaderboard Masters champion Rory McIlroy slipped eight shots off the lead on day one of the US PGA Championship after a disappointing round of three over par. American Ryan Gerard set the pace at five under while Ryder Cup captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley both impressed among the early starters at Quail Hollow. Englishman Donald shot a bogey-free 67 while Bradley, who will lead the United States team in September's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, dropped his only shot at the last to finish at three under par. McIlroy, whocompleted a career Grand Slamby winning at Augusta in April, managed just two birdies in his round of 74. The 36-year-old was playing in the same group as world number oneScottie Schefflerand defending championXander Schauffele,who finished at two under and one over respectively. All three struggled at times on day one, but Scheffler birdied two of his final three holes to keep himself in touch with the leaders. That trio will start their second round at 18:47 BST on Friday. LeaderGerard, 25, has only a missed cut and a tie for 56th in the 2023 US Open on his major resume, but heated up around the turn with four birdies and an eagle between hole 10 and 15 to move three shots clear. However, bogeys at the 17th and 18th robbed him of his commanding position. Alongside Donald on four under was Germany'sStephan Jaeger,while Sweden'sAlex Noren,England'sMatt Fitzpatrickand Scotland'sRobert MacIntyreall ended at three under par to ensure a healthy European contingent near the top of the leaderboard. Among the players in the later wave of starters on Thursday are last year's US Open championBryson DeChambeau,Masters runner-upJustin Roseand AmericanJordan Spieth,who requires the US PGA title to complete his own full set of major victories. Rory McIlroy's driving accuracy was among the worst in the field at just 28.6% Thirty-two days after a dramatic finale at Augusta, which saw him become only the sixth player in history to win all four majors, most eyes were on McIlroy as he headed out as part of a three-ball containing the world's top three ranked players. McIlroy - the US PGA champion in 2012 and 2014 - has anexcellent record at Quail Hollow,winning four PGA Tour events there during his career. The world number two started with a birdie at the par-five 10th - his first hole of the day - but gave that shot straight back by three-putting for bogey on the 11th green. Another birdie followed on 15, but the marquee trio faltered at the entrance to Quail Hollow's penal three-hole stretch, the 'Green Mile'. All three left the 16th hole with double bogeys after McIlroy put his tee shot into the thick rough and Scheffler and Schauffele dumped their approaches in the water. After a series of pars, five-time major winner McIlroy ended his round with another dropped shot on his final hole, having found just four of 14 fairways from the tee. It is a statistic he must improve if he is to move back into contention. Luke Donald captained Europe to Ryder Cup victory in 2023 and will lead the side again at Bethpage Black in September There had been heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the tournament but, in drier conditions on Thursday morning in North Carolina, Donald was one of several surprising names to be found near the top of the leaderboard. The 47-year-old, who hit the first shot of the tournament at 07:00 local time, had told BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter before the event that success would simply be making the weekend. Birdies on the fourth, eighth, 10th and 14th holes made light of his pre-tournament expectations. Donald, whose best US PGA finish was a tie for third spot in 2006, said afterwards: "I'm here only because I'm captain of the European Ryder Cup Team. I wouldn't be in this field otherwise. "Bogey-free in a major championship on a course that you wouldn't have thought would be ideal for me is always fun." New Zealand'sRyan Fox,who only secured his place bywinning the Myrtle Beach Classicon Sunday, finished alongside Donald on four under. Also posting a first-round 67 was AmericanAlex Smalley, who was a late addition to the field after world number 31 Sahith Theegala pulled out because of injury on the eve of the tournament. Elsewhere, England'sTommy Fleetwoodwas unable to capitalise on a fast start but ended one under, as did SpaniardJon Rahm.
McIlroy struggles as Ryder Cup captains impress at US PGA
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"McIlroy Struggles in Opening Round of 2025 US PGA Championship as Ryder Cup Captains Shine"
Bbc News
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, faced a challenging start at the 2025 US PGA Championship, finishing the first round with a score of three over par, eight shots behind the leader, Ryan Gerard. Despite a promising beginning with a birdie on the par-five 10th hole, McIlroy quickly faltered, three-putting for bogey on the 11th and struggling through the 'Green Mile' stretch where he, along with world number one Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Xander Schauffele, all left with double bogeys. McIlroy's driving accuracy was notably poor, hitting only 28.6% of fairways, which hindered his ability to climb the leaderboard. He concluded the day with a disappointing round of 74, leaving him with significant ground to make up as he heads into the second round scheduled for late Friday afternoon.
In contrast, Ryder Cup captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley showcased strong performances, with Donald finishing the day bogey-free at four under par, highlighting his consistent play despite his pre-tournament expectations. Bradley, who will lead the U.S. team in the upcoming Ryder Cup, also had a solid outing at three under par. The leaderboard featured a notable European presence, with players like England's Matt Fitzpatrick and Scotland's Robert MacIntyre also positioned well at three under. As the tournament progresses, McIlroy will need to improve his game significantly to contend, especially given his historical success at Quail Hollow, where he has previously won multiple PGA Tour events. The first round demonstrated a mix of established talents and emerging players, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the championship.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an overview of Rory McIlroy's performance in the first round of the US PGA Championship, highlighting his struggles while focusing on the impressive play of Ryder Cup captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley. It mentions McIlroy's disappointing score compared to his past successes, which may evoke a sense of concern among golf fans about his current form.
Implications of McIlroy's Performance
McIlroy's inability to keep up with the leaders could reflect broader issues regarding his competitive edge at this stage in his career. The article hints at a potential narrative of decline, especially given his prior achievements, which may create apprehension among supporters about his future performances in major tournaments.
Focus on Ryder Cup Captains
The strong performances by Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley may be strategically highlighted to generate excitement for the upcoming Ryder Cup. Their impressive scores could be interpreted as a sign of their readiness to lead their respective teams, which may help build anticipation for the event itself.
Comparative Context
In the context of other golf news, this article emphasizes the disparity between McIlroy's past glories and his current struggles, which may serve to contrast his performance with that of rising stars in the sport. This comparison could reflect an ongoing narrative within golf media about the transition to new talent.
Public Sentiment and Community Response
The article could evoke mixed reactions from different golf communities. While McIlroy's fans may feel disappointed, those supporting Donald and Bradley may find renewed hope for their teams in the Ryder Cup. This duality can create a vibrant discourse among fans and analysts alike, potentially influencing viewership and attendance at future events.
Market Influence
In terms of market impact, McIlroy's performance may affect merchandise sales and sponsorships associated with him. Conversely, the positive performances of the Ryder Cup captains could bolster their brands, leading to increased partnerships and endorsements.
Geopolitical Relevance
While the article primarily focuses on sports, the dynamics of international competition, such as the Ryder Cup, can reflect broader cultural identities and national pride. The attention given to different players may resonate with nationalistic sentiments among their respective fan bases.
AI Involvement in Article Creation
It is possible that AI tools were utilized in drafting this article, especially in organizing the leaderboard data and summarizing player performances. The concise yet informative style could suggest the use of algorithms designed to present sports news efficiently.
The article generally appears reliable as it cites specific scores and player performances, which can be verified through official tournament records. However, the framing of narratives around McIlroy's struggles versus the successes of his competitors may introduce an element of bias, emphasizing a comparative narrative rather than an objective account of the events.