Worrying times for McIlroy as he injures his wrist

The 22-year-old US Open champion’s drive down the 475-yard third finished against a tree root, but he tried a full-blooded second rather than just chipping out onto the fairway.

McIlroy’s club came flying out of his hands and he immediately felt his wrist.

The world No 4 was handed an ice pack to apply and then given a lengthly examination on the fifth green.

Many might have thought it not worth carrying on with so many holes still to play, but PGA Tour physio Digby Watt said the Northern Irish star should be all right to complete his round.

“From what we can tell it looks like he should be okay,” he said.

“The nerve that runs through his hand all the way up to his shoulder could be a bit irritated – we hope it’s not too bad.

“It’s hard to tell, but you can play through those. Hopefully he’s ruled out any fractures or tears and as long as he ices it he should hopefully be able to get through the round without any damage.”

McIlroy, having bogeyed the hole where the incident happened, even got up and down from a bunker on the long fifth and then sank a 20-foot putt for another birdie at the next.

Another bogey came on the eighth before his arm was bandaged up and he did well to par the ninth for an outward level par 35, seven adrift of American Steve Stricker, whose stunning round of 63 equalled the major record.

Ian Poulter, who carded an opening-round 74, tweeted his concern for McIlroy.

“Rory’s shot on three was risky, hope his wrist is okay.

“Never easy to play with a strain especially how hard he hits it.”

n Greenkeeping staff at Athletic Atlanta Club were forced into making emergency repairs to two greens the night before the final major of the season.

Mowers ripped up sections of turf on the 14th and 17th as preparations for the US PGA Championship were being completed.

The problem was apparently caused by a rise in the dew point, which led to brushes on the mowers sticking in the grass.