Rory McIlroy began his warm-up for next week’s US PGA Championship by finishing the first round of the Truist Championship in Philadelphia five shots behind leader Keith Mitchell.
McIlroy – last year’s winner and a four-time champion at the event – recorded six birdies and two bogeys as he carded a four-under-par 66 at the Wissahickon Golf Course.
The 36-year-old, who completed the career Grand Slam with a thrilling win over Justin Rose at last month’s Masters, ended the day tied in 25th alongside nine other players.
American Mitchell tops the leaderboard having finished on a nine-under-par 61 – one stroke ahead of compatriot Denny McCarthy.
Mitchell parred the first five holes but got better as the day wore on with a run of four straight birdies coming towards the end of his round.
McIlroy said this week he has “nothing but positive vibes” as he approaches next week’s US PGA Championship after ending his long wait for a fifth major.
He is a former winner of the event in 2014 – the last major he won before victory at Augusta National last month.