Defending champion Rory McIlroy admitted he was “a little bit annoyed” at failing to take advantage of perfect conditions in the second round of the PGA Championship.
On a day when Japan’s Hiroshi Iwata equalled the lowest score in major history with a 63 and playing partner Jordan Spieth shot 67, McIlroy had to settle for a second consecutive 71 at Whistling Straits.
Playing his first tournament since the US Open in June after seven weeks out due to an ankle ligament injury, McIlroy made amends for a double bogey on the 18th by chipping in for eagle on the second and also carded two birdies and one bogey.
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"I felt like tee to green I hit the ball pretty well, I’m probably just not as sharp with the short game as I would like to be,” the world No1 said.
“It was good to get the two shots back that I dropped on 18 and I gave myself good chances on the third and fifth, but did not take them. There’s plenty of chances out there and if I can convert a few hopefully there is a low score in me.
“I felt like I played better than what the score reflected. A little bit annoyed. I felt like I should have got that ball up and down on seven and then I had a great chance on eight for birdie and didn’t take that. A couple of days in a row where I haven’t finished the round the way I wanted to.
“I don’t know if it’s rust or I just didn’t putt well, so maybe just work on that a little bit before I tee off tomorrow and it would be great to hole a few more putts, because I feel like I’m giving myself plenty of chances.”
