Rory McIlroy finds himself seven shots off the lead after an opening round of 70 at the Truist Championship in Charlotte, as he begins his quest for a fifth career victory at Quail Hollow.

The 37-year-old Northern Irishman had a steady start, carding 17 pars before finally breaking through with his only birdie of the day at the 18th hole to finish one under par. It's a familiar course for McIlroy, who has enjoyed plenty of success here in the past, but he'll need to find another gear if he hopes to chase down the early leader.

American Matt McCarty set the pace with a stunning eight-under-par 63, putting the field on notice with a bogey-free round that included eight birdies. The 26-year-old's performance was a masterclass in precision and patience, giving him a comfortable cushion heading into the second round.

England's Harry Hall made a strong start of his own, mixing six birdies with just one bogey to card a five-under 66. He's joined in the hunt by fellow Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Alex Fitzpatrick, both of whom posted four-under 67s. Fleetwood's round was highlighted by an eagle on the 10th hole, while Fitzpatrick—fresh off securing his tour membership—showed plenty of promise.

Other notable English players include Matt Wallace and Justin Rose, who both signed for level-par rounds of 71, leaving them with work to do over the next three days.

For McIlroy, this tournament serves as the final tune-up before the US PGA Championship, which tees off at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania from May 14-17. With the season's second major on the horizon, all eyes will be on how the four-time major winner responds in the coming rounds.