Rory McIlroy has kept his chin up despite a sloppy finish to his first round at the US PGA Championship.

The Northern Irishman, who is defending his title at Oak Hill this week, carded a one-under 69 to finish four shots off leaders Adam Scott and Jim Furyk.

"I got off to a fast start obviously," McIlroy told reporters. "I was three under through nine holes. I felt like I played really, really well on the front nine.

"Made a couple of bogeys on the back nine and that sort of halted the momentum. Overall it was good, to shoot under par today was a solid way to get off to any Major.

"It's not like there are guys that are so far ahead. You go and get off to a good start tomorrow, you are right there."

McIlroy won by eight shots at Kiawah Island last year.