Round one might be in the books for Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship 2025 but golf fans have been making some serious complaints about proceedings after watching The Masters winner stutter.
McIlroy was nowhere near his best around Quail Hollow and after his opening 10 holes, he’d already dropped to two over par.
In fact, the entire grouping of McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele struggled, with all three making a double bogey on the 16th (their seventh) of the day.
Of course, going into the tournament, a lot of focus has been on McIlroy’s record at the course.
However, there’d also been question marks over how tough a test Quail Hollow is for the top players.
And after seeing McIlroy’s group and players like Brooks Koepka get away with some seriously errant tee-shots, fans over on social media have been slamming the course.
Quail Hollow slammed by golf fans after round one of the PGA Championship
One of the issues brought up heading into the tournament was an apparent lack of trouble for players.
Indeed, Bryson DeChambeau suggested the course set up was why McIlroy usually does well, albeit he didn’t hit great heights in the opening round.
And after McIlroy – along with Brooks Koepka – bombed a few drives well towards the water and were saved by the long rough before it, golf fans have once again lamented the PGA picking Quail Hollow.
Golf journalist Tim Gavrich was among those to criticise the set up, as he pointed out how two of Brooks Koepka’s shots had stayed dry.
While another fan branded Rory’s drive on 16 staying dry as a ‘joke’.
Another golf lover also brought up Tommy Fleetwood to make his argument.
“Same with Tommy’s tee shot at the par 3. How hard to get rid of that rough and punish a shot 50ft deep”.
With another suggesting there is an easy solution for the problem.
“Just make it short grass between fairway and water. Easy fix”
Going in further on the course, another fan suggested the majors simply should not be held at Quail.
“Quail Hollow is fine for a yearly tour event. It’s not major worthy. Don’t go back”
While finally, another lambasted what they were seeing, particularly with McIlroy getting away with things.
“Quail Hollow is a disgrace! Rory getting away with two snap hooks heading directly at the water and getting caught up in rough at 15 & 16 is unbecoming of a major championship”
It seems, then, that the golf course in Charlotte is not getting much love just yet from the watching golf world.
At the moment, there’s an argument to say the wet weather has impacted things.
However, if the weekend continues and players continue to hit poor shots and not get fully punished, it will very much leave a sour taste in the mouth for many onlookers.
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