WORLD NUMBER ONE Rory McIlroy rolled in a 24-foot eagle putt on the way to a six-under par 66 on Thursday, seizing a slim early lead in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida.
The Northern Ireland star teed off on 10 at Bay Hill and shook off an early bogey at the 11th with five birdies and the eagle to reach the clubhouse on six-under, one stroke in front of American Talor Gooch — who had an eagle and four birdies with one bogey in his five-under 67.
After birdies at the 16th and 18th — where he rolled in a 10-foot putt — McIlroy made the turn at one-under.
He stuck his approach three feet from the pin for a birdie at the first and after his long eagle putt at the par-five fourth he birdied the par-five sixth and the eighth, where he sank a 14-foot putt.
McIlroy played alongside Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose of England and South Korean Lee Kyoung-Hoon — a late replacement for defending champion Francisco Molinari after the Italian withdrew with a bad back.
It was another disappointment for 2018 British Open champion Molinari, who failed to make the cut in his last three events that featured a halfway cut.
The 37-year-old hasn’t notched a top-10 finish since losing the lead in the final round of the 2019 Masters.
With the afternoon starters on the course, four players were in the clubhouse on 68: Americans Sam Burns and Brendon Todd, South African Christian Bezuidenhout and England’s Tyrrell Hatton.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama was three-under through eight holes.
Brooks Koepka, trying to regain peak form in the wake of a knee injury with the Masters coming up in April, carded an even par 72.
“Nothing to rave about,” said Koepka, who capped his round with back-to-back bogeys at the eighth and ninth. “It’s not far off, but it’s, still, it’s annoying.
“Just can’t play golf, can’t score,” added Koepka, who missed the cut at the Honda Classic last week. His best PGA Tour finish this season is a tie for 43rd at Riviera in February.
Australia’s Adam Scott, who won the Genesis Open at Riviera, slumped to a five-over par 77 that included a triple bogey and a double bogey.
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Is it just me or does anyone else think ROG & Keano would make great pals.
Their conversations would be nothing but, to quote Ronan, ‘pure, brutal honesty.’
That must have been like telling him that the sun was going to rise!
Some revelation – not!The world and his brother, sister, mother, father and dog would have known that. Why else would the AB’s speak about it so openly in front of Keano, when they’d have to assume he’d report it back to his fellow country- and countyman ROG at the first available chance – as of course he did.
Pity ye haven’t the same regard for our greatest ever no.10 as ye have for that friend of Prince Albert of Monaco whom ye adore in South Dublin. The man who got us over the line in our first slam for close to 70yrs is lambastes at ever chance. Well I love a straight talking rog whom despite his light stature never sheirked a tackle over a bono voiced boring South Dublin west Brit who will never offend anyone who will always stand on the fence.
Huh?
You’re a tool…. can’t they both be great ambassadors?
Philip, you are another flash. Pathetic.
Ah Phil don’t be like that, talking about your capital city in that manner.
ROG like Keane is a mouth piece!
Phil don’t be a bitter idiot. Where do these bitter fools come fm? Rog is from cork city and if he read this post by u he would be embarrassed . I bet you love in the sticks somewhere and just hate Dublin
Ah stop for the love of God. You’re an embarrassment to Munster fans, Philip.
Not sure about the West Brit ladyboy part, but Johnny is certainly a very attractive man
There was no slight to our, as you rightly say “our greatest ever 10″ intended at all. Cool your jets. All teams target whatever weakness they can find in the opposition’s armour. Tackling wasn’t RO’G's strongest suit – something he shares with a lot of outhalves; nothing wrong in that. Most Test players are good at some things, not so good at others. Only the odd exception is good at everything.
Keano was asked if he takes other sport’s coaching techniques on board when developing his skills, the anecdote clearly relates. It’s not as if he released a statement on it.
I’m getting fair sick of reading your crap at this stage
Too much sauce Philip. Too many chips on shoulder. ..shoulda had a kebab b4 posting
Are you talking about BOD from Clontarf in north Dublin?
Philip won’t ever let the truth get in the way of that large chip on his shoulder. Pity he doesn’t realise Rugby is a team spirt – O Gara kicked the score to win the slam, but he didn’t clear out the ruck just before it, or the one before it. Nor did he pass the ball to himself to kick it. The squad won that grand slam not any one player.
This comment goes out to Philip Ryan and Owen lydon, I like most others on this would really appreciate if ye would stop commenting on issues ye have 0 amount of knowledge on like rugby, thank you in advance
Yours,
Vast majority of “the score.ie” users
David, nice one. I was saying it this morning how boring P.Ryan and his rants were getting.
I’m guessing he’s a munster man like myself Gary, but he hasn’t a clue!! Especially when it comes to bod who has probably been the greatest rugby player to don the green jersey of Ireland
If only I had a time machine in order to get those last 30 seconds of my life back. Chewing gum for the soul stuff.
“He can’t’ tackle.” Been saying that for years, cant wait for Flash etc to come back with “Sure what do the All Blacks know about Rugby? What have they won? Munster ARE rugby”
ROG a great kicker, unfortunately rugby, especially playing fly half is more than just kicking.
ROG pales compared to Jonny Wilkinson, even Eric Elwood.
I think it was pretty much acknowledged by everyone (including himself) that tackling or physicality wasn’t his strong point, but as a tactician and game manager he was a grand master with few equals.
In fairness to Roy he said it up front, Other sporting books recently out could learn,
Lol this is a very funny article.
Would love to have been at that dinner