RORY MILLROY overcame his first-round flutters and set a blistering pace at the PGA Championship.
Since his 2014 win at the PGA, the 33-year-old star has been a slow starter in Majors.
Rory McIlroy set a blistering pace in the first round of the PGA Championship.
McIlroy completely eclipsed his legendary playing partners Tiger Woods (pictured), and Jordan Spieth
Since then, he is 35 over par in his first rounds.
Southern Hills' five-under-par 65 was a great result, especially considering that he is 68 below par for rounds 2 to 4 in the same eight year period.
He was the highest score of the morning starters. His shot was better than that of American duo Will Zalatoris & Tom Hoge's 66.
McIlroy's illustrious playing partners Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth were surpassed by McIlroy.
Woods appeared to be constantly in pain from the injury to his right leg that he nearly lost in a car accident 15 months ago. He struggled to a 4-over-par 74.
Spieth lost his dreams of winning the career Grand Slam when he was struck by 72.
It was no surprise that McIlroy felt a bounce in his step.
He finished the day with a difficult 18-footer, his seventh birdie. After the tenth hole, the trio of all-stars began on the tenth.
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After McIlroy's four consecutive birdies, the omens of a fifth Major title are promising.
He did this feat eight years ago, when he won the PGA Championship.
McIlroy exclaimed: "It feels so great to get off to such a great start at the Majors for an alternate."
"I must continue to build on this -- but it was a tremendous boost for my confidence.
"I feel good about my game ever since finishing second at the Masters. I shot that 64 on the last day.
"I did well at the Wells Fargo last year, finishing fifth because I was a little rusty.
It is a fantastic start. It was also nice to end the round in the same way that I started, after having reached six under par. This is a wonderful position.
"I just need you to keep it going."
Tiger Woods was on the way to the first hole when he had an argument with a photographer
Woods started off well and was at par after five holes.
It was all downhill from there, and Spieth couldn't replicate the form that saw his first and second finishes in his previous two starts.
Woods, 46 years old, seemed unusually nervous as he walked down to his opening hole. He even yelled at a TV cameraman for him to stop and give him space.
He didn't have much to worry about at the hole.
After hitting a three-wood middle fairway wood, Woods hit a wedge to just beyond three feet and then rammed home the birdie putt.
The 15-time Major winner seemed determined to continue the game plan that won him the 2007 PGA Championship.
15 years ago, he rarely reached out for the driver, focusing instead on hitting the fairways.
He seemed to have it against him, as his two-iron tee shot from the 461-yard 12th was 187 yards away from the flag. McIlroy and Spieth pulled out the big dog'.
This allowed them to both cut the dogleg, and McIlroy's monster 353-yard drive -- 26 yards more than Spieth -- made him just a few feet from the green.
For a birdie, he trimmed it to within two feet.
Woods was forced to settle for par after Spieth opened his account with a nine-footer.
McIlroy left that green with the kind of swagger that was absent in the first rounds of Majors.
It was the spark that ignited the incredible run of four birdies consecutively.
McIlroy's heroics provided some relief for Woods.
He stated, "I need a lower round to get back into this and Rory proved it's possible -- he made the task seem quite easy to be honest."
"I made a lot mistakes and got myself into a lot trouble. I must say that I feel better both physically and mentally.
"But I'll have plenty ice and treatment. Then, I'll start the recovery process and then try to play my way into this tournament."
Rory McIlroy celebrating after his birdie at the ninth hole
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