Rory McIlroy opened the PGA Championship at Aronimink with a 4‑over 74, a score that marked the first time the five‑time major champion finished a round with four consecutive bogeys. The 57‑year‑old struggled to drive the ball straight, missing nine of 14 fairways, six of which came on the back nine.

McIlroy admitted the long‑term issue of inconsistent tee shots has been a seasonal hurdle. Despite leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee, he ranks 91st in driving accuracy across six events this year. He blamed windier conditions at Aronimink for the added penalty of missed fairways.

After a solid Sunday at Quail Hollow and a good home round, McIlroy noted the sudden shift in performance once the pressure of the championship kicked in. He said the breezy conditions made it hard to keep the ball close, and pin placements seemed more tucked, increasing the challenge for precision off the tee.

With the tournament still in its early stages, McIlroy’s faltering starts to threaten his title‑challenging hopes. A 74 that forces extra strokes could derail his bid for a third PGA title, especially as rivals tighten the leaderboard. The championship will now test whether his long‑term driving woes can be corrected under pressure.