The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Momentum with McIlroy in Shanghai
Matthew Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy put themselves in contention after the first round at the WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
A six-under-par 66 left Fitzpatrick in joint-third, two shots behind home favourite Haotong Li, who held a lead of one after the opening round.
The 27 th-ranked English golfer got off to a good start, with seven birdies and a single bogey in the first 18 holes.
Oban’s Robert MacIntyre bounced back from a double bogey at his opening hole to finish two under par with a round of 70.
Former world number one McIlroy was in a share of seventh after saying on Wednesday he wanted to end a fouryear wait for a World Golf Championships victory.
Starting on the back nine, McIlroy mixed three bogeys and three birdies in an inconsistent start.
But five birdies in the nine holes after the turn, including four in a row from the second, left him five under, three off the lead.
He said: “I definitely got some momentum on that back nine and tried to sort of ride that momentum.
“It would have been nice to pick up one more, had a good chance for birdie, but after the start today, to shoot five under, I’m not complaining.
“There was no wind, so it was a day to take advantage of the conditions.
“It looks like the conditions are going to stay that way for the next few days, but it’s nice, the last few tournaments I’ve played; I’ve had a bad opening round and then been trying to play catch up.
“At least now, I’m right in the thick of things from the start, which is a better place to be.”
France’s Victor Perez was second, with South Korea’s Sungjae Im and Australian Adam Scott alongside Fitzpatrick in third.
South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen provided the highlight of the first round with a hole in one at the sixth, his 15th hole, on his way to four under and a share of 10th.