SPRINGFIELD, N.J. – On a sweltering hot day, Rory McIlroy’s putter could best be described by an old Foreigner hit song: “Cold as ice.” No circles on the scorecard for McIlroy, who didn’t make a putt longer than 6 feet en route to shooting a 4-over 74 in the opening round of the 98th PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club. He also was dusted by fellow competitors Jason Day, who carded a 68, and Phil Mickelson, who rallied from a slow start for 71.
McIlroy, considered one of the favorites entering the tournament, said he drove it “as well as ever,” but his irons were spotty, and he couldn’t buy a putt.