Rory McIlroy got off to an excellent start at the PGA Championship, shooting a 65 in the opening round at Southern Hills. The low score represented his best start at a major since the 2011 U.S. Open. What really excited golf fans was the fact that McIlroy had won each of the previous majors where he had shot 66 or lower in the opening round. However, it was not to be for the PGA Tour star, who faltered down the stretch to finish eighth. McIlroy got brutally honest on the disappointing finish, per BBC.

Rory McIlroy admits he will reflect upon his US PGA Championship display as “one that got away” after his challenge for a fifth major title fell away.

A five-under 65 saw McIlroy lead after day one at Southern Hills before error-strewn rounds on Friday and Saturday sent him tumbling down the leaderboard.

“Regrets? Yeah I regret I didn't take advantage of the benign conditions on Friday,” he told the Irish Independent.

“I regret the big numbers I made on the par threes on Saturday.”

McIlroy looks at the PGA Championship as “one that got away.” It's hard not to look at it that way, as the world no. 7 would have earned himself a spot in the three-hole playoff that ensued had he shot at par for the final three days at Southern Hills.

As disappointing as it was, the PGA Tour star did acknowledge that as long as he keeps “playing the golf that he's playing”, he'll have more chances at majors.

If McIlroy, who finished as the runner-up at Augusta in April after a slow start, can play a steady four rounds, he could be in the winner's circle at the U.S. Open in June.