McIlroy carried on the momentum by so almost holing out for an eagle on the par-four ninth, when his approach from the fairway bunker from 140 yards grazed the cup before finishing within 18 inches. McIlroy converted a 16-footer on the 10th, to make himself four-under for three holes and, although he played his last eight holes in one-over for a 68, the ace provided the 34-year-old with just the uplift he required after the weekend’s disappointment.
That was McIlroy’s 33rd major since the most recent of his four successes at the 2014 US PGA and there has been predictable speculation that the scar tissue will affect his challenge at Hoylake, where he won the Claret Just two weeks before that US PGA nine years ago. However, McIlroy has maintained that he is “closer than ever” and this magic moment can only do wonders for his confidence.
“I’ve had them in the past where it has been like an OK shot and you get a little lucky, but that was the best shot of the day that I hit,” he said. “Obviously a bonus for it to go in the hole, but it was really cool. I played pretty averagely up until that point, but that hole in one got me going.”
McIlroy was not about to bemoan his timing. He is looking forwards not back. “I think that’s something I do a pretty good job with,” he said. “You get your good breaks and you get your bad breaks, and if you have a good attitude towards both of those, I think it all evens out in the end.
“I had a hole-in-one on the European Tour in 2015, but they’re the only two I’ve had in competition as a pro. I’ve had a ton in practice and casual rounds. I threw the ball into the crowd today. I’m not sentimental. I’d rather have trophies than golf balls.”
Leon Maguire starts strong at Women’s LPGA
Meanwhile, at the Women’s LPGA, the second major of the female season, McIlroy’s countrywoman Leona Maguie put herself into contention with a first-round 69.
The 28-year-old’s two-under effort left her in the clubhouse lead alongside Norwegian Celein Borge and Japan’s Ayaka Furue. Having won her second LPGA Tour crown in Michigan on Sunday, Maguire arrived at Baltusrol, the famous layout in New Jersey, as one of the favourites. And the Co Cavan golfer went some way to justifying this tag with a round featuring four birdies and two bogeys.
