Matthew Fitzpatrick and Webb Simpson were shot around 66s to set the pace at the WGC-Workday Tournament; Rory McIlroy three back despite a disappointing performance on the greens at The Concession Club.
Le Ali Stafford
Last updated: 26/02/21 12:57 am
Rory McIlroy is three away after the opening round of the WGC-Workday
Rory McIlroy was left putting down an attractive display despite making a confident start to the WGC-Workday Tournament.
The Northern Irishman, who wants to join Dustin Johnson as the only players to win all four World Golf Championship titles, sits three beats from distance after the opening round of 69 at Golf Club the Consul.
McIlroy mixed six birdies with three bogs in Thursday’s tough performance, though he would have been closer to leaders Matt Fitzpatrick and Webb Simpson if it hadn’t been for four putts missed from the sidelines. within eight feet.
2:49 Selections from the opening round of The WGC-Workday Tournament at The Concession in Florida.
“I missed three putts on the last nine holes that I thought were definitely going to go right to left, and then I missed one on another hole that gave me a little less break as responded to those and those same pigeons and I broke left, “McIlroy said Sky Sports.
“I felt like I got a good feel for what I’m doing with the long game so I’ll hit a few balls to try and put that in and I’ll go to the green to try and see. a bit. .
Rory McIlroy played with Justin Thomas (center) and Max Home (right) carding the 73s opening round
“Of course it’s hard because you come off course thinking you could be three or four beats lower than you used to be, but I have to keep putting in the work and hopefully find his way in there.
“I dug some good putts out there, not that I didn’t make any holes, it’s just that I missed a few.”
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McIlroy made a close-range birdie after receiving an elegant view from a fairway bunker at the tenth, his opening hole, then left his Eagle trying at the par-five short 13th of the hole to tap leave another entry.
The 10-footer four-time main champion shook to save par at the 15th and made an eight-foot advantage at the next to reach the leg in 33, just to pile a three-put bogey from 30 feet at the par-four. first.
McIlroy pursued back gains from the second with a loss from within five feet at the fourth and fifth, with the 31-year-old taking advantage of the seventh par-five but unable to put another birdie from six feet at eighth.
Watch the WGC-Workday Tournament during the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday with Special Groups from 4pm on Sky Sports Golf