Rory McIlroy endured a dramatic first round at the BMW PGA Championship, finishing with a 5-under 67 but narrowly missed a chance to lead after going out of bounds on the final hole. Despite losing the club head on his 9-iron, McIlroy displayed resilience to stay two strokes behind leader Matthew Baldwin, ranked 363rd, at the European Tour’s flagship event. The Northern Irishman handled setbacks, including a detached club head incident on the 12th hole, where his shot landed 7 feet from the pin for a birdie opportunity. McIlroy, ranked third globally, found the experience peculiar but managed to get his 9-iron fixed for the remainder of the round.

McIlroy’s round was eventful, with highlights like a back-handed putt for par near a water hazard and challenges such as hitting his second shot out of bounds on the last hole. This late error cost him a share of the lead at the time, dropping him out of contention alongside Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard and Thomas Detry, who shot 66 each to share second place. Baldwin, among the afternoon starters, seized the lead with a bogey-free 65, showcasing a solid performance following recent struggles with missed cuts in previous months.

Reflecting on his performance at the Irish Open last week, where he finished as a runner-up, McIlroy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to keep busy and focus on the BMW PGA Championship. The competition also featured other notable golfers like Shane Lowry, Robert MacIntyre, Billy Horschel, and Victor Perez, with varying results as the tournament unfolded. Despite challenges and unexpected turns, the tournament promises an exciting and competitive atmosphere for golf enthusiasts.