McIlroy shines at Italian Open
GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy – Rory McIlroy’s first competitive round on next year’s Ryder Cup course was a success.
The four-time major champion holed out an approach shot for an eagle en route to a 4-under 67 for a share of the clubhouse lead in the opening round of the Italian Open on Thursday at the Marco Simone club outside Rome.
After producing only one birdie on his opening nine holes – having starting his round on the back nine – McIlroy shot up the leaderboard when he landed his second shot from 115 yards on the par-4 third a few feet from the hole. The ball then rolled in and McIlroy lifted his arms in delight as he watched from afar back up the fairway.
McIlroy was tied for the lead with five other players: Gavin Green of Malaysia, Adri Arnaus of Spain, Scott Jamieson of Scotland, Eddie Pepperell of England and Antoine Rozner of France.
U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick was one stroke ahead at 5 under through 15 holes when play was suspended because of darkness.
Defending champion Nicolai Højgaard, who played in a group with McIlroy and two-time Italian Open champion Francesco Molinari, finished one stroke behind the leaders. McIlroy went 5 under over his final seven holes.
The start of play was delayed for an hour because of lightning and conditions remained blustery throughout the day.
While Molinari struggled to a 2-over 73, Filippo Celli impressed for host Italy in his professional debut by placing two strokes behind the leaders.
PGA Tour
NAPA, Calif. – Rickie Fowler began his 15th professional season Thursday. From clubs to coach to caddie, just about everything is new for the five-time PGA Tour winner.
Fowler, whose last victory was the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open, enjoyed immediate success.
He shot a 5-under 67 and was among a large group one shot behind early coleaders Byeong Hun An and S.H. Kim at the fog-delayed Fortinet Championship.
An, a three-time PGA Tour runner-up who regained his card via the Korn Ferry Tour, had seven birdies and one bogey en route to his 66 at Silverado Resort and Spa.
Kim, a PGA Tour rookie, had eight birdies and two bogeys in the opening round of the PGA Tour’s new season – its final time using a wraparound schedule.
Two groups began first-round play, but it was then delayed 90 minutes by fog.
Defending champion Max Homa, a two-time winner last season and a captain’s pick for next week’s Presidents Cup, was among late starters. Approximately 20 players were not expected to finish their opening rounds.
Greyson Sigg, Nick Taylor, Sahith Theegala, Scott Harrington, Matti Schmid and Emiliano Grillo, who won the event in 2015 and had two runner-up finishes last season, also shot 67s.
LPGA Tour
PORTLAND, Ore. – Ayako Uehara found momentum from par saves on her opening two holes and turned that into a 7-under 65 for a one-shot lead Thursday in the AmazingCre Portland Classic.
Hannah Green had a 66 despite a bogey on her final hole at Columbia Edgewater Country Club, with Nelly Korda in the group another shot behind.
Korda, the No. 2 player in the women’s world ranking, had a colorful front nine of only two pars. She followed a birdie with a double bogey on the par-4 sixth hole, and then responded with an eagle-birdie-birdie finish.
Joining her at 67 were former Women’s British Open champion Hinako Shibuno and Caroline Inglis.
Brooke Henderson played in the afternoon and joined the group at 68.