2024 Wells Fargo Championship leaderboard: Rory McIlroy lurking as Xander Schauffele leads after Round 1

McIlroy eyes his fourth title at Quail Hollow ahead of the year's second major championship

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The first day of the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship ended with Xander Schauffele atop the leaderboard holding a three-stroke lead at 7 under but with Rory McIlroy top of mind. The three-time tournament winner was among the last on the golf course Thursday, and despite a bumpy back nine, was able to sign for a 4-under 67 to sit firmly in the rearview mirror of the leader. McIlroy is among a chasing pack that includes the likes of Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Max Homa.

"I'm hitting the ball really well again, with some of the shots that I hit out there today with the driver, some of the iron shots were much better, I feel like putting's good," McIlroy said. "And I felt like things were starting to turn around for me in New Orleans, played a good weekend there. Sort of just -- I got a really nice couple feelings in my swing that week, and I've just sort of tried to ingrain those over the last, whatever that is, 10 days. Yeah, it feels good. It was good to play a solid round of golf today. Left a couple out there, I feel, but at the same time, I've got three more days to try to build on what I've done today."

McIlroy's day began in emphatic fashion, signing for a turkey of birdies from holes No. 3-5. He immediately rose to the first page of the leaderboard, and his name would vault to the very top a couple holes later when a 55-foot eagle bid found the bottom of the cup. With a short par 4 and another par 5 among the ensuing holes, McIlroy had the look and runway of taking flight.