CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Something about Quail Hollow really seems to fit Rory McIlroy's eye.
In 2010, a baby-faced, 20-year-old McIlroy marched into Charlotte and took down the likes of Phil Mickelson, fresh off a win at Augusta National, and Angel Cabrera, the 2009 Masters champion, to claim his first PGA Tour victory. Five years later, McIlroy again stood in the winner's circle at Quail Hollow, capturing the 2015 title on new greens (changed from bentgrass to MiniVerde bermudagrass) and a redesigned 16th hole.
"[The golf course] went through different iterations since we started coming here, but every time they tweak something here or there, you know, it's still sort of the same place and it really fits my eye," McIlroy said following his opening-round, 5-under 66 Thursday at Quail Hollow.