World number one Rory McIlroy closed with a tap-in birdie to complete a five-under-par 66 Thursday and stand only one stroke off the first-round lead at the PGA Championship.
England`s Lee Westwood and Americans Ryan Palmer and Kevin Chappell shared the lead on six-under 65 at Valhalla.
McIlroy joined a pack sharing fourth place that included American Jim Furyk, last year`s PGA Championship runner-up; Sweden`s Henrik Stenson and Italy`s Edoardo Molinari.
Finland`s Mikko Ilonen was in on 67.
Only a handful of rivals within reach of the leaders remained on the course, including Americans Jerry Kelly, five-under with two holes to play, and Chris Wood, four-under with three holes remaining.
England`s Ian Poulter and Ireland`s Shane Lowry were on 68 with US and British Open runner-up Rickie Fowler, five-time major winner Phil Mickelson and Aussie Jason Day on 69.
Tiger Woods was on 74, looking like it would put him beyond 100th place and in danger of missing the weekend cut.
AFP
First Published: Friday, August 8, 2014, 05:22
