Fast start in BMW suits McIlroy fine
FORTUNE SMILING: McIlroy is in a strong position AS RORY MCILROY looked ahead to a golden summer after making his fastest start to a BMW PGA Championship yesterday, Richard Bland was thankful just for the moment.
Bland matched McIlroy’s fi ve- underpar 67 at a damp Wentworth, a round the tournament’s star name hopes will set the standards for a revival in form.
It was one stroke better than when McIlroy won the tournament in 2014, a victory that proved the catalyst for a stunning season in which the Northern Irishman won two Majors and became world No1.
But for Bland, the buzz came less from keeping McIlroy’s company and more from the presence of a particular face in the crowd.
“My brother got seriously ill in December and was in a coma for nearly a month after Christmas. He’s still recovering but he’s here today,” said Bland. “It’s great to see him walking round. He’s on the road to recovery.
“We were a close family anyway and it’s brought us closer together. It just makes you think that even though I’ve had a tough time on the course, life ain’t that bad.”
Both Bland and McIlroy, along with Matt Fitzpatrick, fi nished the fi rst round two shots behind Danish leader Lucas Bjerregaard.
McIlroy said: “I’m not quite as comfortable with my game as I was when I won here but it’s getting there.
“There are courses you feel you can chase on and be OK but if you start to chase here it can bite you pretty quickly. It’s similar to Sawgrass if you get out of position. So to shoot a 67 to start off is great.
“I played a lot better than I have the last couple of weeks. I saw some good shots, better drives, I putted well for the main part – if I can do more of the same over the next three days I should have a decent chance.
“After that I have a few big tournaments in the States and a very busy summer with a lot of important stuff.”
It could have been even better for the Northern Irishman but for a photographer’s camera going off on his backswing as he played his second shot to the 18th. McIlroy, who mis- hit his approach and missed a three- foot birdie putt, gave the culprit a fi lthy stare but made up with him. “It’s a tough enough golf shot without something going off at the top of your swing, but it happens. It’s fi ne. I’m sure he didn’t mean to do it.”
There was more West Course woe for Ian Poulter, who was less refl ective after a two- over- par 74.
He said: “This is an interesting course. I’m extremely angry, I’m extremely frustrated, I’m extremely disappointed.
“Let’s leave it as those words because if I used any others I’m going to look like a complete t**.”
THE Staysure Tour will be decided by a paradise swing in the Seychelles and Mauritius.
Europe’s seniors tour will now end in a new two- stage Final Series in December.
My game is getting there