Rory McIlroy off the pace after wayward first round at US PGA Championship

Masters champion Rory McIlroy faces an uphill battle to claim back-to-back major titles after an error-strewn opening round in the 107th US PGA Championship.

McIlroy struggled to a three-over-par 74 to trail clubhouse leaders Luke Donald, Ryan Fox, Alex Smalley and Stephan Jaeger by seven shots, with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre on three under.

McIlroy’s play-off victory over Justin Rose at Augusta National in April had made him just the sixth male golfer to complete a career grand slam and gave him a fifth major title, one behind Sir Nick Faldo.

A double-bogey at the 16th for Rory McIlroy...

His first double-bogey at Quail Hollow since 2010