Rory McIlroy has a round to remember, Robert MacIntyre goes big at the 17th and Hurly Long adds his name to the hole-in-one honours list on the opening day of the BMW PGA Championship.
Everything you need to know from an entertaining first round at Wentworth Club.
Eventful day for Rory
McIlroy was two shots off the clubhouse lead in Virginia Water thanks to seven birdies - which included four in a row from the third - and two dropped shots, but that did not tell half of the story during an eventful first round on Thursday. At the eighth, he was inches from the water hazard which meant he found himself putting left-handed. “I was up against collar where that water hazard is on the eighth hole and didn’t really have a stance hitting it right-handed, so I had to hit a left-handed putt,” he reflected. “At least I got the speed pretty much correct. I didn’t get the line right but knocked that one in and made par and very swiftly moved to the ninth tee pretty happy.”
The biggest talking point came early on his back nine when the clubhead on his eight iron flew off after impact as he struck his second shot at the par-five 12th. And yet, despite that unusual occurrence, he still managed to finish eight feet away from the pin and go on to card a two-putt birdie. “I don’t think it has ever happened to me before,” he said afterwards. “It was obviously a very weird feeling through impact. I looked up and the clubhead caught my eye instead of the golf ball, so I completely lost where the golf ball was. Fortunately, it didn’t impact the shot too much. I got it repaired and it got back on the 16th. Thankfully didn’t need it for any of those holes in between.”
Rory McIlroy's club head flying off 📸#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/bHfTOjqV4p
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 19, 2024
Bob drives off the deck
Robert MacIntyre, the latest winner of a Rolex Series event after his success at the Genesis Scottish Open in July, moved into contention thanks to his opening 67. The Scot drained six birdies and carded a dropped shot to sit two off the lead - held by Matthew Baldwin - in Surrey. However, it was his second shot at the 17th, which helped him climb to five under, that got tongues wagging as he used the big stick off the deck at the par-five hole. "I had to bend it. I've hit it maybe 270 off the tee. But I have no angle to get it on to the fairway," MacIntyre explained. "To hit it straight up the hole, I have to hit a nine iron. The only club that I can slice from that corner is a driver. I grew up on links golf so I can hit a drive off the deck." It is a thing of beauty - watch for yourself.
Hurly Long aces fifth
The German recorded the 26th hole-in-one of the DP World Tour campaign at the fifth hole. Long hit an inch-perfect shot, using a seven iron for the 198-yard hole to continue his roller coaster first round. The 29-year-old, who opened with a double bogey, birdied the third and fourth before adding an eagle one at the fifth. He finished his front nine with a bogey before picking up a shot at the 12th. Long bogeyed the 13th and 16th to return to level par, only to eagle the par-five last for a 70.
Rose walks in huge birdie
Home favourite Justin Rose got the crowd cheering with this brilliant effort from off the green. The 44-year-old had no doubt at all!
Söderberg's eagle snub
How is your luck Sebastian Söderberg? His approach into the 15th was sublime as it pitched inches away from the edge of the cup, only for the ball to bounce away and spin back towards the hole and finish inches short of a deserved hole-out eagle. This is a cruel game at times.
Silky Svensson sinks chip for par
Jesper Svensson, who is making his BMW PGA Championship debut, did away with the putter and the flag as he chipped in from close range at the 15th for a brilliant par save.
