It was just over a year ago that Rory McIlroy erased a seven-shot deficit after the opening round at the Masters to finally capture the elusive fifth major title and secure the career grand slam.
Given the pressure that the 37-year-old felt at Augusta during that time, it's no surprise he wasn't phased with the same mountain to climb after Round 1 at this week's PGA Championship.
McIlroy continued his rebound from a dismal 4-over 74 on Thursday at Aronimink, following his 67 on Friday with a sizzling 66 Saturday to electrify the crowd and vault up the leaderboard.
McIlroy admitted after the round that he leaned on his experience at the Masters to refocus following his Day 1 struggles.
"I thought back to last year's Masters, I was seven back after the first day, and I was two ahead going into the final day," McIlroy said. "So there's a lot of golf and a lot of things can happen during the course of a golf tournament. I've progressively just got a little bit closer to the lead each day."
The six-time major winner wasted no time getting to work in Round 3, birdieing holes 1 and 5 before providing one of the highlights of the week on the 397-yard par-4 6th.
Rory McIlroy went full send and drove the 397-yard sixth. 💪#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/DdfdIyL8B8
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2026
A 380-yard rocket to the green led to a comfortable two-putt birdie and added all the fuel needed for the charge to continue.
While he would eventually fall short of the 5-under goal he set for himself, he finished his day just one off the lead with the final groups on course.
"I set myself a target of if I could get to 5-under par, one better than the leaders going out, that was - again, didn't quite get there, but I think just setting yourself these little targets, it helps you just lock in and focus on yourself and not really think about anything else that's going on," McIlroy said.
With the wind picking up throughout the day at Aronimink, McIlroy could find himself in one of the final groups Sunday with a real chance at his seventh major championship - a number that would break the record for most by a European man.
