Rory McIlroy makes early birdies to begin march up PGA Championship leaderboard

Fri, 15 May, 2026 - 21:00

By Scott Hunt, Press Association, Philadelphia

Rory McIlroy’s quest to charge back into contention at the US PGA Championship started in fine fashion with two early birdies.

The 37-year-old was furious after a “s***” four-over opening-round 74, having finished with four successive bogeys.

He was one of the last groups to begin his second round and he did so eight shots back from clubhouse leader Alex Smalley, with making the cut – which stood at three over – his first objective.

Rory McIlroy is rolling early in Round 2. 🔥

His second birdie of the day and he's two-under through four holes.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/62pAo8ywwX

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 15, 2026

McIlroy was in the rough off the tee at the first but recovered beautifully to make par before finding birdies at two and four to begin his march up the leaderboard.

Low-scoring has proved tough as Aronimink Golf Club bit back at thoughts that it would not challenge the world’s best golfers.

McIlroy’s Ryder Cup team-mates Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood posted rounds of 76 and 75 respectively in the morning, while world number one Scottie Scheffler labelled the pin locations the “hardest I’ve seen on tour”.

Scheffler battled to a one-over round of 71 to remain within two of the lead but McIlroy will have taken heart from Chris Gotterup’s round of 65 which showed a low score is achievable.

Justin Rose chips in for eagle to finish his round in style. 🌹🔥#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/kVoH39g7Fl

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 15, 2026

McIlroy, chasing back-to-back major wins after defending his Masters title last month, was again alongside multiple major champions Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth.

South African Aldrich Potgieter, who held a seven-way share of the first-round lead, moved clear at the top on five under.

England’s Justin Rose earlier struggled to a three-over round but gave himself a shot of making the weekend with a stunning chip in from the rough for eagle at his final hole.