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2021 PGA Championship: Troubling Trend Continues for Rory McIlroy

By Tim Letcher

KIAWAH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 20: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to his shot from the 15th tee during the first round of the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Resort's Ocean Course on May 20, 2021 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KIAWAH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 20: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to his shot from the 15th tee during the first round of the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Resort's Ocean Course on May 20, 2021 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Rory McIlroy came into the 2021 PGA Championship as the favorite. And why not? He won on the PGA Tour just two weeks ago and, the last time the PGA Championship was held at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, McIlroy blistered the field with a runaway victory.

However, his 2021 PGA Championship got off to a rough start. And, despite a few high points within his round, it never really improved much.

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McIlroy started his day by playing the back nine first. And on the 10th hole, with his first shot of the championship, McIlroy hit his ball in the water to the right. He did bounce back but still carded a bogey to start his day on Thursday.

That didn’t seem to bother McIlroy. He actually came back with birdies at both the 11th and 12th holes to get to 1-under on his round. He seemed to be trending in the right direction.

McIlroy would par the next three holes before suffering a bogey at the par-5 16th hole. He would par the 17th and 18th holes to close his first nine at even par.

The second nine was a struggle for McIlroy.

He bogeyed the first hole. Then he bogeyed the second. He was suddenly 2-over par on his round and headed in the wrong direction.

McIlroy would par the third and fourth holes before another bogey, this one on the par-3 fifth hole, dropped him to 3-over on his round.

He was able to rebound a bit with a birdie on the par-4 sixth hole. However, he gave that shot right back with a bogey on the par-5 seventh.

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McIlroy finished with two pars to shoot a 3-over par 75. Luckily, McIlroy may not find himself far off the lead when the day is finished.

This is the fourth straight major where McIlroy has struggled in his first round. He shot a 76 on Thursday at this year’s Masters. And he shot a 75 in the first round of last year’s Masters. And he shot a 75 in the first round of last year’s PGA. It’s a troubling trend, one that’s keeping McIlroy from adding to his major championship trophy case.