McIlroy shot an opening 4-under 66 that featured six birdies and long drives. "I certainly can tidy a few things up," he said, "but overall a decent day.”

The McIlroy household is looking at a major life change in the near future, which eradicates any notion that the marriage is not healthy.

FLOURTOWN, Pa. - With all due respect to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the PGA Tour's lone team event, the Truist Championship was Rory McIlroy's first real test of golf since winning the Masters.

"It’s been amazing," said Masters champion Rory McIlroy. "I wish we played more tournaments up here," said Justin Thomas.

On a rainy, chilly day in which tee times were bumped up and preferred lies were in place, McIlroy shot 3-under 67. Added to his opening 66, he's at 7 under and five off Keith Mitchell's lead.

Stoll and Poppy were at Augusta National last month to celebrate McIlroy as he completed a career Grand Slam with a playoff victory over Justin Rose to win his first-ever Masters.

Rory McIlroy has been on a tear of late headed into next weekend's PGA Championship. Going back to last November, he won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

McIlroy signed off by describing Quail Hollow as one of his favourite places in the world. Diamond presumably agreed. There followed another win here last year, putting his foot on Xander Schauffele’s throat with a storming Sunday finish to win by five shots.