Rory McIlroy started his bid for back-to-back major titles with a difficult opening round at the US PGA Championship, finishing four strokes over par after bogeying his final four holes. The Northern Irishman's frustrations boiled over when asked to describe his day by a moderator during a press conference following his play.
McIlroy’s response was blunt and direct: “S***,” he said, expressing his dissatisfaction with the way he played on the course at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania. "I started missing fairways," McIlroy explained. "I missed the fairway right on four, six, seven, nine. I made that birdie on five to get back to even-par after the soft bogey on four, then I just got on that bogey train at the end."
The 37-year-old had a particularly tough finish with two more bogeys and only managed one birdie during his round alongside Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth. His struggles continued as he struggled to find consistency in driving the ball.
During the press conference, McIlroy admitted that his performance was not up to par: "I’m just not driving the ball well enough," he said. “It’s been a problem all year for the most part. I just need to try to figure it out.”
McIlroy's one-word expletive has drawn attention from golf fans and media alike, highlighting his frustration with his opening round of play.
HAPPENS NEXT: McIlroy will look to regroup before playing in subsequent rounds at Aronimink Golf Club. His performance over the next few days could determine whether he can mount a serious challenge for major titles this season.
This article was produced by AVALW News on Friday, May 15, 2026 based on reporting from 6 verified news sources across 2 countries. Our editorial process cross-references facts from multiple independent outlets to deliver accurate, comprehensive coverage. All original sources are linked below.