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Paul McGinley suggests Rory McIlroy has already been proven wrong after only one round at the PGA Championship
TL;DR
Rory McIlroy's strategy for the PGA Championship has been challenged after a poor opening round, where he struggled with his driver and ended with four consecutive bogeys.
Key points
- Rory McIlroy was a focal point before the PGA Championship.
- He claimed little strategy was needed at Aronimink Golf Club.
- McIlroy struggled with his driver during his opening round.
- He ended his round with four consecutive bogeys.
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy was at the centre of conversation before the PGA Championship, and that hasnât changed after his opening round.
During the week, McIlroy claimed there was little strategy required at Aronimink Golf Club. He said that on most holes you needed to just hit driver and figure the rest out, but he couldnât have been proven more wrong.
McIlroyâs driver was off during his opening round, which led to him missing fairways left and right. And he was punished by the long, grabby rough, which led to four-straight bogeys to end his opening round.
Paul McGinley was quick to remind everyone of McIlroyâs pre tournament comments, and said he has been proven dead wrong.
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Paul McGinley says Rory McIlroy was wrong about Aronimink
McGinley watched McIlroyâs difficult start to the PGA Championship on Sky Sports, and he had plenty to say about his pre-tournament comments.
Speaking on commentary, he said, ââHe didnât putt very well with 36 putts. But it all happens off the tee. All of his shots except the one par three on eight were being wild off the tee and not being able to recover.
âWe saw him win The Masters so brilliantly, but remember he was second last in driving accuracy, but he got away with it.
âToday, Aronimink jumped up and bit anybody who was in the rough. A lot of storylines were players saying that was no strategy off the tee. But that is not the case. You miss fairways at your peril out here. These greens are treacherous and you have to be on the fairway to control your spin.â
McIlroy was constantly in the pinestraw at Augusta, but the nature of the golf course allowed him to seek creative routes to the green. That wasnât possible at Aronimink, which made McIlroy pay for his comments.
Rory McIlroy says if he was wrong about Aronimink
McIlroy was asked after his round if he was wrong about the golf course. He responded, âItâs hit and miss. I think, if you miss it on the right side going into like â you know, if the pinâs on the left, you miss it right, itâs fine.
âBut yeah, I got a couple of lies today that were particularly bad. The one on the 10th hole starting off, thatâs as bad as Iâve seen.
âYeah, there is a penalty for â certainly is a penalty for missing the fairway. Probably more than what I anticipated after being here, whatever it is, two Fridays ago.â
McIlroy may have to change his strategy off the tee if he wants to climb back over the cut line on Friday.
Q&A
What did Rory McIlroy say about the PGA Championship course strategy?
Rory McIlroy claimed that little strategy was required at Aronimink Golf Club, suggesting players could mainly rely on hitting driver.
How did Rory McIlroy perform in his opening round at the PGA Championship?
Rory McIlroy struggled during his opening round, missing fairways and finishing with four consecutive bogeys.
What consequences did McIlroy face for his driving issues at the PGA Championship?
McIlroy's driving issues led to him missing fairways and being penalized by the challenging rough, resulting in a disappointing score.
