Rory McIlroy’s strong opening round of 67 belied what was an eventful Thursday at the BMW PGA Championship. Unable to take a stance near a hazard on the eighth green, he swatted a putt left-handed. Trying to take advantage of back-to-back par 5s to close,

Maybe Rory McIlroy’s luck is changing. In his first round since losing the Irish Open in agonising scenes last Sunday, the world No 3 watched in disbelief as he hit an approach shot to seven feet - but only after the head of his nine-iron had flown off down the fairway.