Rory McIlroy feared he would not pick up a clear start despite a 68 shooting at Torrey Pines | Golf News

After being four under halfway through his first round, McIlroy was disappointed that he could not improve his score as he looked to attack Torrey Pines’ North Course on the second day.

7:17

Review of Rory McIlroy’s first 68 rounds at the Farmers Insurance Championship, where he started well but struggled to keep his score over the back nine.

Roddy McIlroy had mixed feelings about his 68th opening at the Farmers ‘Insurance Competition as he reflected on Torrey Pines’ “story of two nines”.

The elements were in McIlroy’s favor as he tackled the Southern Course harder in relatively calm conditions on the first day at the U.S. Open this year, with the expectation that incoming bad weather affecting the second round.

McIlroy’s pre-contest vote to avoid the mistakes that overturned his challenge for silverware in Abu Dhabi last week looked to be on the money as he made a confident start, saying rolled in midfield birdie buttons on the second and third before setting up a chance eagle from a similar distance at sixth.

McIlroy was disappointed with his performance back nine

He settled for a two-put birdie and picked up another good shot up and down at the ninth to turn in four under, but after missing a viable chance at 10, he couldn’t miss it. take on a good driver at the long 13th and then tri-putted from over 60 feet following a pier pier into 15.

McIlroy did well to save par and avoid another three-put bogey on the next green, and got back on track with a welcome birdie at 17 before a rare rare driver eventually stopped his. go at the green in two.

The last pair grabbed one of the best rounds on the South Course and left four adrift scenes of Patrick Reed and Ryder Cup team-mate Alex Noren, and admitted he felt a brief change with the beginning he gave himself.

2:59

Rory McIlroy was happy to start the Farmers Insurance Championship with a 68 course on the South Course at Torrey Pines, but it was also difficult to be four under at the turn.

“Four under the age of nine, so I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t pick up a couple more on the way in, especially with the two par-five and not taking any pictures of the that, “said McIlroy, who opposes a seven – round record penalty in eight weeks.

“But I think any time you shoot 68 on the South Course here you have to be really happy. It’s a good start, and we don’t know who the -like weather tomorrow, so it was good to get a good guy in and play on the golf course a little easier in the worst of conditions.

McIlroy was particularly pleased with his drive after a bit of inconsistency off the tee in Abu Dhabi, and will try to take full advantage of his length and error over the rest of the tournament.

“It gives me a lot of confidence, especially with how I removed parts of it last week,” he said. “It wasn’t very good, it was a bit ‘guidey’ at times. But it was my first competition back out, so I was probably a little unsure about what I was doing.

“I decided today that I’m just going to fully promise every swing I make off the tee, and it worked, I hit a good tee shot, I took a message on some, I did not take advantage of others, behind nine, but I was happy with how I knocked it out.

“I’m very happy with how I moved the ball, I hit some good iron shots, and I think, going from the Bermuda greens last week in Abu Dhabi just to poa here, that ‘s a bit of a change. Northland greens tomorrow, that might be a little easier for me. “