ACKERMAN: McIlroy embraces chilly, wet Bethpage

Photo credit (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

By Tom Ackerman, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (KMOX) - We're not saying it's wet here, but galoshes would have been a nice investment. Maybe a small boat.

Wearing a stocking cap and sporting a smile, however, Rory McIlroy seemed right at home during his Monday practice round at Bethpage Black.

On a drizzly, cold morning at the site of the 101st PGA Championship, the four-time major champion signed hats, gloves, balls, flags, pictures and posters for the patrons who braved the cold near the 17th hole.

And then he crushed a tee shot off 18, sailing down the left side of the fairway, longer than his playing partner, Dustin Johnson.

"I've been excited to get back here," McIlroy said as we walked over the bridge from the 18th green to the clubhouse. "Ever since I knew it was coming back to Bethpage. I played a U.S. Open here (finished tied for 10th in 2009) and a couple of Barclays tournaments (2012 and 2016). It's good to be back, for sure."

This is the first PGA Championship conducted in May since 1948, when Ben Hogan won at Norwood Hills in St. Louis.

And it's only been nine months since the last PGA, a civic triumph for St. Louis, albeit a steamy one. Bellerive Country Club featured raucous crowds soaking in tropical-like conditions.

"Just a little bit," McIlroy laughed. "It was a little humid and a little hot back then."

But the kid from Northern Ireland doesn't seem to be fazed.

"This is nice," McIlroy said. "This is just getting into golf season in the Northeast... and people are obviously excited to see such a big tournament up here again."

McIlroy expressed surprise as to how dry the golf course was on Monday and how well Bethpage drained overall.

"I was really impressed," he said. "Flew into the course (Sunday) night and it was underwater. There were a lot of puddles. It's in incredible shape. If there isn't that much more rain as the week goes on, it's in great condition."

As soon as we finished talking and McIlroy disappeared into the clubhouse, the rain began to fall. Heavily. And it didn't let up all afternoon.

Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson will take turns with McIlroy addressing the media in the interview room on Tuesday. With the forecast calling for more rain, perhaps we could arrange a putting contest indoors?

Missing will be 2017 PGA Champion Justin Thomas, who withdrew Monday afternoon because of a wrist injury.

Certainly, it's one of the wettest.

Photo credit (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)