Rory McIlroy with a rough first round at PGA FedEx Cup Playoff opener

Rory McIlroy only made two birdies and shot a 40 on his front nine at The Barclays, the first round of the PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoffs, leading to a three-over par 74 for his first round score.

More from Golf

McIlroy, 25, has won in all three of his last three starts that included the British Open, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship. This was McIlroy’s first round over par since before the British Open. Rory has gone 12 rounds without going over par.

McIlroy said in a press conference after the match plain and simple, “I just wasn’t very good.”

McIlroy has almost become a co-spokesman for the game of golf along with Tiger Woods this year, after he has played so well and now reached the world number one spot in golf.

Rory’s distractions may be associating with his struggled round. He’s spent a few days in New York City, he’s gone back to Europe to show off the Claret Jug to a thrilled Manchester United crowd in their home opener against Swansea City and he appeared with Tiger Woods on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Rory also completed the ice bucket challenge with Tiger Woods and then dumped water on actress Megan Markle after nominating her.

[vimeo 103946781 w=500 h=281]

Well, this sudden friendship with Markle also raises some eyebrows. McIlroy ended his engagement with tennis superstar Caroline Wozniacki before winning the British Open. Before that, Rory had gone winless on the PGA Tour this season. Will this new friendship/potential relationship mess with his golf game? We’ll have to see.

Rory McIlroy currently sits tied for 106th place in The Barclays.

Home/Golf