Rory McIlroy Backs Up PGA Championship Win with Strong First Round at Barclays

The first time Rory McIlroy won a major at the 2011 U.S. Open in Bethesda, the golf world didn't see the Irish star with a club in his hands in a competitive event until a month later at the Open Championship.

And, wouldn't you know it, McIlroy's course rust showed. After shooting an even-par score for the first two rounds, McIlroy folded when the course conditions got rough at Royal St. George and finished plus-7 in a tie for 25th place.

But with just two weeks between McIlroy's win at the 2012 PGA Championship and the start of the FedEx Cup season at this week's Barclays tournament held at Bethpage Black, there was no chance for the 23-year-old to take a rest this time around.

Paired along Tiger Woods, McIlroy came into the Barclays in a jovial spirit and even threw a competitive barb at the former world No. 1 golfer.

When asked if he'd like to play against Woods in next month's Ryder Cup tournament, McIlroy answered with the affirmative.

“Yeah, I'd love to go out there," said McIlroy (via the Washington Post). "I'd love Tiger to go out first and kick his [backside].”

Though all in jest, that remark added a little more intrigue to a pairing the whole world came in watching anyway.

And through one round at Bethpage, it looks like the Irishman will have no residual effects from his comment or a second major hangover.

After starting the first round on shaky ground, bogeying the third and fifth hole, McIlroy came out with a birdie on the sixth and shot a three-under 32 on the back nine to finish with a two-under score of 69 for the day.

That score puts McIlroy five shots behind leader Padraig Harrington, but just one shot behind Woods, who opened on fire but faded down the stretch for a three-under 68.

But for McIlroy, extending the first-round performance through the weekend is essential.

Most thought that we were watching the ascension of golf's new superstar when McIlroy came away with his first major championship. Flukes simply don't win tournaments by eight strokes.

However, McIlroy spent most of the 2012 PGA season vacillating between scintillating and total failure. His PGA championship was once the 23-year-old flexing the apex of his immense talent.

Transcendent stars are the ones who can consistently dominate the competition, though. With his rare breed of skills on the course, there's very little reason McIlroy doesn't play with more consistency other than his age.

With the FedEx Cup and Ryder Cup as the only two major events left on tour, McIlroy needs to continue building on his first round and prove that this is finally his time.