Searching for his first win at a major golf tournament in eight years, Rory McIlroy grabbed an early one-shot lead after the first round of the 2022 PGA Championship on Thursday at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.
McIlroy carded seven birdies that carried him to a 5-under 65 in the opening round of the tournament. It was his lowest start to par in a major since a 6-under 66 when he won the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in 2014, the last of his four majors.
Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge each opened with a 4-under 66 to share second after the first day of play. Justin Thomas, Matt Kuchar and Abraham Ancer all were another shot behind at 3-under 67.
Tiger Woods, meanwhile, had his worst start to the PGA Championship since 2015. Two bogeys at the end of his opening round gave him a 74, leaving him in a tie for 99th and on the cusp of missing the cut.