When Did Rory McIlroy Last Miss The Cut In A Major? As Masters Winner Has Nightmare PGA Championship Opening Round

Fresh from the highs of winning the Masters at Augusta last month, Rory McIlroy is back to earth in the next major of the season – having carded a poor +3 (74) opening round in the PGA Championship, leaving him 10 shots off the lead and in danger of missing the cut. With that in mind, we answer the question – when did Rory McIlroy last miss the cut in a major tournament? As the world number two looks to bounce back at Quail Hollow.

Rory McIlroy Shoots PGA Championship Opening Round 74, Despite Getting A Birdie On His First

Having started on the 10th at Quail Hollow Country Club on Thursday, the signs of Rory McIlroy adding the PGA Championship to his Masters win last month looked good after he fired in a birdie on his first hole.

However, that good start for the world golf number two didn’t last long as he gave that shot back on his second (11th) with a bogey 5 and ended the front nine +1.

Things didn’t get any better over his back nine for the Green Jacket winner (which was over holes 1-9) as he started on hole 10.

McIlroy began with another bogey 5 on the par 4 first and ended with another on the 9th – which ended his US PGA opening round with a score of +3 (74).

A day to forget for Masters champion Rory McIlroy at Quail Hollow, where he found just two of 14 fairways on his way to a 74 (+3) pic.twitter.com/rNIm6Is8Fr

— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) May 15, 2025

Meaning he finished Thursday 10 shots off the leader – Jhonattan Vegas, who hit the jackpot with a -7 (64), with European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald turning back the years with a -4 opening round.

McIlroy will bid to get back on track on Friday when he tees off at 6:47pm GMT alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler, who carded a -2 opening round, and Xander Schauffele, who endured a similar day to McIlroy with a +1 first round.  You can find out how to watch all the 2025 US PGA action here.

All this means McIlroy’s dream of becoming the first Masters winner to land the PGA in the same season since Jack Nicklaus in 1975 is all but over.

He’ll be battling on Friday – to just not miss the cut. Then anything else over the weekend (if he gets there) is a bonus.

When Did Rory McIlroy Last Miss The Cut At A Major?

In fact, the answer to the question – when did Rory McIlroy last miss a cut in a major?

Is – not that long ago.

Golf fans will that McIlroy suffered a nightmare opening two rounds at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.

The Northern Irish big hitter carded poor 78 and 75 scores to finish +11 and missed the cut by a massive five shots.

It was the first cut McIlroy had missed at a Major since the 2023 Masters.

CBS Golf Team Feel Rory McIlroy Can Get Back On Track at the US PGA

The crew believes Rory McIlroy can get back on track on Friday and position himself for a strong weekend at the @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/81N0xDUtEs

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) May 16, 2025

How Many Golf Majors Has Rory McIlroy Won?

Rory McIlroy has won FIVE golf majors so far in his career – with his most recent being the 2025 Masters at Augusta, which completed the golf Grand Slam.

Note: Correct as 16th May 2025