Rory McIlroy slowly set off to the final PGA Tour event ahead of the Masters with the opening round of 70 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
The leader of FedExcup has already been the winners of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and this season’s players, and has chosen to make their first Houston appearance since 2014 to prepare a bid to complete a career grand slam at Augusta National next month.
McIlroy – Playing with Morning Wave – Mixed as many bogies as two birdies in a par 70 layout at the Memorial Park golf course.
Image: McIlroy completes his career grand slam with the Masters next month, looking to win his first major title since 2014
World No. 2 – Starting from the back nine – missed to save par on the 14th from 8 feet and failed to use par 5 16 days.
McIlroy had to make sure that Tap-in Birdie, at 35, in his two-peral hole (his penultimate hole), needed an improved performance on Friday, avoiding his first cut since opening.
“A little pedestrian, I think it’s a good way to explain it,” McIlroy said. “We had to deal with these conditions early on.
Image: Rory McIlroy made a level par 70 card in the opening round
“I made some par saves early in what I needed, then there was a fair chance in the second nine that I didn’t convert.
“Yeah, two half stories. I felt like the first nine were scrambled for the majority, and I felt like I left a couple in the last nine.”
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Taylor Pendris, Keith Mitchell, Ryan Gerald and Alejandro Tosti all shared the lead at 5 under, while European Ryder Cup hopes Victor Perez and Rasmus Hodgerdo both shot Group A pace.
Scotty Schaeffler shot more shots back after a bogeyless start.
Image: Scotty Scheffler (right) chases his first victory of the season, while Ricky Fowler (left) needs a victory to qualify for the Masters
“It felt like I started playing a little better in the back nine,” Schaeffler said. “I got a bit of it for the first nine, but I still posted a score today. With rain and wind today, the conditions are pretty tough so it’s great to hold a clean card overall.”
The first round was suspended due to darkness at 7:28 PM local time (12:28 PM). Taylor Dixon – 2 off the lead on three holes to play – unable to finish.
England’s Harry Hall posts a 2-under 68, and Ricky Fowler plays with Schaeffler – even more pretending to be a stroke ad lift, but defending champion Stephen Jaeger is with McIlroy on a level par.
Who will win the Texas Children’s Houston Open? Watch the live show on Sky Sports throughout the week. Early coverage continues on Friday at Sky Sports Golf from 12:15pm ahead of full coverage starting at 8pm. Get Sky Sports and Streams without a contract.
