McIlroy Shoots 4-Over 74 in Opening Round of PGA Championship at Aronimink

Rory McIlroy shot 4-over 74 in the opening round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. The world No. 2 entered as the second-favorite behind Scottie Scheffler but stumbled badly Thursday.

McIlroy started on the back nine with a bogey on No. 10, then birdied the next hole. He played even par through 12 holes with 10 straight pars. He bounced back again with a birdie on No. 5 after bogeying No. 4, staying even through 14 holes.

Trouble hit late. McIlroy bogeyed each of his last four holes, including the par-5 ninth, to close at 4-over. He finished outside the top 120 after the morning wave and needs a strong Friday to make the cut for the top 70 and ties.

Asked to sum up his round, McIlroy replied with one word: "S---."

Before the tournament, a foot blister forced him to quit a practice round after three holes. It's unknown if it hurt his play.

McIlroy has missed just one cut in his last 12 majors, the 2024 Open Championship. His 74 echoed a 3-over start at last year's PGA at Quail Hollow, where he finished 47th. Opening-round woes mark his majors record: 7-over at the 2024 Open, even par at the 2025 Masters, 3-over at the 2025 PGA, 4-over at the 2025 U.S. Open and 1-under at the 2025 Open.

Even his 2025 Masters win to complete the career grand slam came after a sparkling 5-under opener at Augusta last month. Now McIlroy must climb from early trouble to chase his first PGA title since 2014 at Valhalla.