CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Poor rounds are inevitable, even acceptable at times in professional golf, and Rory McIlroy knew Thursday would require a few baby steps in the big picture. He's not played much golf of late.
Actually, hardly at all.
McIlroy got off to a poor start in defense of his title at the Wells Fargo Championship, rallying for a 1-over-par 73 after starting with 40 over that back nine at Quail Hollow Club, where he shot 61 a year ago on his way to a 7-stroke victory.
But last year's tournament came a week after the Players Championship and two weeks following his victory at the WGC-Match Play.