RORY'S MILES OFF PACE

Mcllroy facing uphill task as famous three-hole stretch haunts favourites

- RICH JONES

THE dreaded 'Green Mile' will decide the US PGA Championship on Sunday and the world's top three players learned about it the hard way in their opening round.

The daunting three-hole stretch to close out at Quail Hollow threatened to chew up and spit out the very best in the sport yesterday.

For Rory McIlroy, a moment of magic on 18 limited the damage on the hole where he hopes he can be celebrating his sixth Major win on Sunday.

But he now faces an uphill task after his driving deserted him and his worst round at the course since 2011- a threeover 74-left him well adrift of the lead.

After winning the Masters to finally complete the career grand slam last month, McIlroy candidly admitted this week: "I've done everything I've wanted to do in the game.

"Everything beyond this is a bonus," he added. Playing with newfound freedom - he even tapped in with his wedge after a chip shot almost dropped at times he perhaps took his eye off the ball.

From the tee, the part of his game that has seen him dominate at Quail Hollow in the past threatened to be his undoing at the start of his opening round.