Rory McIlroy criticizes PGA Championship setup
Rory McIlroy has expressed dissatisfaction with a “not great setup” at the PGA Championship, following a challenging first round and a strong second round performance at Aronimink Golf Club, reports BritPanorama.
The Northern Irish golfer rebounded from an opening round of 74 to post a bogey-free 67, but he has been vocal about the tournament’s organization and the tightly packed leaderboard. After finishing his second round, he stated, “I think a bunched leaderboard like this, I think it’s a sign of not a great set-up.”
McIlroy elaborated on the difficulties the players faced, noting the challenge of making birdies due to the lack of hazards and the positioning of the pin locations. “It’s easy to make a ton of pars, hard to make birdies,” he remarked. “Not that it’s hard to make bogey, but it feels like bogey’s the worst score you’re going to shoot on any one hole.”
He acknowledged, however, that the course itself is well-maintained, highlighting the toughness of the pin placements and the impact of the wind on play. “I’ve always felt like really good set-ups start to spread the field a bit, and not great set-ups sort of bring everyone together,” he added, suggesting this has contributed to the tightly bunched scores.
McIlroy, currently sitting at one-over-par, commented on the competitive atmosphere with only eight shots separating the lead from the cut mark of four-over-par, which equals the smallest margin in PGA Championship history. “You get on a run with wedges on that front nine and you shoot four or five under and all of a sudden you’re right in the thick of things,” he said, indicating his belief that he could still make a significant move during the weekend.
As the tournament progresses, McIlroy remains partnered with three-time PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka, and they are set to tee off at 4pm BST for what promises to be an intense weekend of golf amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding the course conditions.
In major championships, the fine line between challenge and frustration often defines a player’s experience; McIlroy’s reflections serve as a reminder of how the nuances of course setup can impact performance and perception alike.
