US PGA Championship: McIlroy in control, but Smith looks a big threat

Rory the man to beat

Rory McIlroy admits he's been putting himself behind the 8-ball in Majors since he claimed his fourth at Valhalla nearly eight years ago. But he finally broke that streak in sultry Southern Hills yesterday with a stunning 65 that marks him out as the man to beat in the 108th PGA Championship.

The 33-year-old's five-under-par round was an exhibition of powerful driving, sensational iron play, and deadly putting that left playing partners Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods seven and nine strokes adrift.

While he spoke in the build-up of playing conservatively and avoiding mistakes, he was on the front foot from the start in warm, blustery morning conditions, hitting 12 of his 14 tee shots well over 300 yards and holing 108-feet of putts.

Rory McIlroy's 65 at Southern Hills was his best opening round in a major for 11 years

Lowest major opening round for 11 years

A disturbing 30 over par for the 27 majors he's played since winning his fourth grand slam title in 2014, his 65 was his lowest opening round in a major since he shot 65 en route to a record-setting eight-shot U.S. Open win at Congressional 11 years ago.

It's also the first time he's led after the first round of a major since The Open at Hoylake in 2014 when he won. In fact, every time McIlroy has shot 66 or better in the opening round of a major since becoming a major winner, he's won.

He's now 4.3 to claim that elusive fifth major and may well have lucked out with the weather with the forecast for high winds in the morning and calmer conditions in the afternoon. Of the 26 players under par after round one, 17 came from the early wave.

He has a one-shot lead over Will Zalatoris (9.6) and Tom Hoge (32), but it's 2017 champion Justin Thomas who is the second favourite now at 9.6 after shooting a three-under 67 in the afternoon winds to share fourth place with Matt Kuchar (42) and Mexico's Abraham Ancer (40).

Top three struggle

The top three in the world struggled with No 1 Scottie Scheffler (26) posting a 71, Jon Rahm (85) a 73, and Collin Morikawa (85) a 72. With 40mph gusts forecast for Friday morning and more benign conditions in the afternoon, McIlroy will certainly have the best of the conditions.

But he's converted just three of 18 first-round leads into wins, and none of his last eight first-round leads or co-leads. It leaves doubt over his ability to break his barren spell but for the fact that of those three wins, two have come in Majors.

There's still a long way to go, however, and with players like Thomas (67), Xander Schauffle (68), Cameron Smith (68) and Shane Lowry (70) still well in the hunt, a lot can still change.

Smith is also out in the afternoon and his short game skills make him a big threat while Lowry was also impressive in grinding out a level par score in the afternoon.

Recommended bets

Justin Thomas @ 9.6

Cameron Smith @ 13

Shane Lowry @ 40