Rory McIlroy is a two-time winner of the PGA Championship and is hoping to add a third title this week, while the Northern Irishman has revealed he almost missed the tournament 15 years ago

Rory McIlroy nearly missed the 2010 PGA Championship(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy has revealed he came close to missing the 2010 PGA Championship altogether due to a lingering back issue. That year, a doctor advised the Northern Irish golfer to withdraw from the major and rest for several weeks.

McIlroy recalled his experience 15 years ago during a press conference ahead of this week’s tournament at Quail Hollow Club, a venue where he claimed his first PGA Tour victory in 2010. During the media session, McIlroy reflected on his memories of the 2010 event, stating: “Yeah, I wasn’t even supposed to play this tournament in 2010.

“I had missed the cut at the Masters, and I was struggling with a bad back. I went and got an MRI scan when I went home, and it showed some, like, edema and stress around L4-L5, and the doctor told me it’s probably better if you rest for a few weeks and not play.

“The weekend before, I played a round of golf at Royal Portrush, and I played really, really well, and I was sort of – I felt like my back was feeling a little bit better, and I came over here excited. I came over here excited to play,” reports the Express.

Despite not yet nursing himself back to full fitness, McIlroy still dazzled on the course.

He narrowly missed out on a playoff and secured third place at just one stroke behind Bubba Watson and the eventual winner in Martin Kaymer.

Reflecting on past triumphs, the Belfast-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 sensation spoke emotively about his Truist Championship win that came a mere three years after he turned pro.

Rory McIlroy earned his first PGA Tour victory at Quail Hollow Club in 2010(Image: Getty Images)

He shared how that milestone remains a driving force for his consistently stellar performances in North Carolina spanning over a decade.

“I think those important things, the first — whether it’s your first win or first major whatever it is, those things stay with you.

It’s been a difficult opening round for McIlroy at the PGA Championship

“I think part of the reason that I’ve played so well here since is I had such that positive momentum, those positive memories, and every time I come here, I just have – those good feelings get rekindled,” McIlroy reflected.

“It’s been a good place for me.”

However, in the opening round on Thursday, McIlroy found himself trailing, dropping to 3 shots over par (+3).

Meanwhile, competitor Ryan Gerard burst ahead with an impressive six under par (-6) early on.