Rory McIlroy caps off 17 pars with closing birdie in return to Truist Championship

Rory McIlroy carded a 1-under 70 in the rain-delayed opening round of the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow, finishing with 17 pars before a closing birdie on the par-4 9th hole. McIlroy hit a 194-yard 9-iron from the left rough over the trees to within 15 feet, then converted the putt to avoid a birdless round. It would have been only the eighth time in his PGA TOUR career he failed to record a birdie or better, with the most recent occurrence coming at the 2024 Masters.