Defending champion Brooks Koepka ripped up the Bethpage Black Course with a stunning seven-under 63 to take the first-round lead at the US PGA Championship.
The American, playing with Tiger Woods, carded seven birdies to sit a shot ahead of world number 119 Danny Lee.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood (67) is third on three under, while Woods, chasing a 16th major, finished on two over.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlory holed his only birdie on 18 to match Woods.
But it was an otherwise laboured round for the 30-year-old, who won the 2012 and 2014 tournament when it was the fourth and final major of the year in August – this is the first year it has switched to the second.
“I’d give myself A for effort,” said McIlroy said. “I dug in well. I hit the ball well and felt like I hit good putts, they were just sneaking by and trying to find a way not to go in.
“I said going up to the 18th tee I can’t remember the last time I played a round of golf without a birdie so I better birdie this last hole and thankfully I did.
“Hopefully that was the turning point. Finish on a positive note, come back on Friday and hopefully get into red figures for the tournament.”
Woods, who ended an 11-year wait to win his 15th major at the Masters in April, had a mixed day, starting with a double bogey on the 10th hole, his first, before adding another on the par-three 17th.
However, the 43-year-old birdied the first and second holes before a 25-foot putt for eagle on the fourth hole moved him to one under.
But three further bogeys left him nine shots behind three-time major winner Koepka, who carded a bogey-free round, having said earlier this week he is aiming for “double-digit” victories in the sport’s biggest events.
Bethpage Black is considered one of the toughest courses in golf, but Koepka, who did not birdie either of the par fives, told Sky Sports: “The funny thing is it could have been lower.
“I’ve hit it great for two weeks and I had no bad thoughts leaving the range, I feel very confident and good with where I am at.”
Koepka’s round was a course record at Bethpage Black and also matched the lowest round recorded at the US PGA.
Former US Amateur champion Lee, who was born in South Korea but represents New Zealand after moving there when he was eight, hit his best round in a major by four shots.
Although the 28-year-old carded two bogeys, he also recorded eight birdies, including a 14-footer on the last.
He said: “I’ve been working hard on my putting, mainly just to learn how to read more breaks and try and make the hole rather than hitting it five feet by.”
