Mcilroy turns on Orlando magic with opening 66
World No1 plays last 12 holes in seven under par Seventh top-five finish in succession in sight
The sight of Rory Mcilroy on the leaderboard has become so commonplace it is akin to seeing a picture of Mickey Mouse in Orlando.
Indeed, all of those holiday-goers in Disney World at the moment would be well advised to drive the few miles to witness the world No1 at Bay Hill Country Club in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. On the evidence of his opening six-under 66, he is poised to turn the Florida layout into his magic kingdom for the second time in three years.
Appropriately enough, it was a veritable roller coaster of a morning for the Northern Irishman and summed up his resilient attitude at the moment. One over after six, Mcilroy played the remaining 12 holes in seven under, with five birdies and an eagle. It left him one shot off Matt Every’s first-round lead.
“I told myself there are still 66 holes left in this tournament, but the margins are so fine that even now it doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “I’ve shot a good score and it’s great that I’ve done it on what might be the good end of the draw, with the wind building. I drove it really well and I’ve worked on that.
“It wasn’t quite up to par over the first three tournaments of the year. But I think I only missed one or two fairways today, and if you can do that around this place, especially with how juicy the rough is, you’re going to give yourself chances.”
Mcilroy could step into Tiger Woods territory today. His past six PGA Tour events have all yielded top-five finishes, and should he make it seven, he will join Woods as the only players who have notched up the podium septet in the past 20 years.
Yet if Mcilroy can continue producing strikes such as his second on the par-five fourth (his 13th) then only the silverware – and a third win in this remarkable run of consistency – will figure in his sights.
“Harry [Diamond, his caddie] said that’s the best shot I’ve hit all year,” Mcilroy said. “I had 260 yards and was in between three-iron and five-wood.
“With the latter there was a chance to go over the back of the green, and short was always better than long. The three-iron just came out perfectly and got up to pin high. Yeah, that was good to convert.”
On four under, England’s Tyrrell Hatton was once again impressive following his return from wrist surgery, while countrymen Matt Wallace and Matt Fitzpatrick shot 69 and 70 respectively. But world No3 Brooks Koepka’s recent mediocrity continued with a 72, as did Justin Rose’s with a 73, while Tommy Fleetwood returned a 76.