Rory McIlroy at Turkish Airlines Open 2015: Thursday Leaderboard Score, Reaction
Rory McIlroy looked in fine form as he posted a five-under 67 in the first round of the 2015 Turkish Airlines Open on Thursday as he bids to win a third Race to Dubai.
The world No. 3 posted five birdies and not a single bogey to finish the round one shot back from clubhouse leader Chris Wood after 18 holes of confident golf.
Here is McIlroy's scorecard from the opening day of action at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Belek, Turkey:
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| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 37 |
| Score | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 |
| Overall | E | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Par | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 35 |
| Score | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 31 |
| Overall | -2 | -2 | -3 | -4 | -4 | -4 | -5 | -5 | -5 | -5 |
McIlroy has not won a tournament since May, but he remains in the No. 1 spot in the Race to Dubai as the 2015 Final Series gets under way on the European Tour.
He has certainly placed himself in a good spot after the first round in Turkey, but he cut a frustrated figure at times despite his good play, as he is eager to return to winning ways.
The Northern Irishman parred the 10th—his first—on Thursday before chipping in for birdie from the fringe of the par-five 11th, per the European Tour:
He should have picked up another shot on the short par-four 15th, but a clumsy chip followed by a two-putt saw him miss out on a birdie despite having almost driven the green.
Another three pars followed to see McIlroy reach the turn at one-under par, having posted a 36 on the course's back nine.
He had to scramble to make par on 18 after a wayward drive, but some trademark Rory magic saw him engineer a left-handed chip to safety.
After a solid opening nine holes, a birdie four on the first signalled the start of McIlroy's charge up the leaderboard.
He followed a three on the second with back-to-back birdies on the next two holes, with his four on the par-five fourth coming courtesy of a fine second shot into the heart of the green.
McIlroy then entered the top five with another birdie on the seventh, showing terrific touch to hole a 15-footer for a fine three.
He had a chance at another birdie on the par-three eighth after a sweetly struck drive, but he pulled his putt wide of the hole, to his clear frustration.
A par on the last saw him wrap up a very respectable round, and although he left one or two shots on the course, it was an impressive showing from McIlroy.
He has endured an injury plagued 2015, but he said before the start of the tournament in Turkey he felt he could return to winning ways this week, per the European Tour:
"I'm happy to be here and health-wise, I'm pretty much back to where I need to be. I've started to train the way I was before the injury again and I'm happy about that. I'm trying to get my game back into the shape that I know that I can and feel like I've made a few steps in the right direction. This week is another opportunity to see where my game is, try to get into contention and try to win. I feel like there's a lot's happened and a lot of time has gone by since that last win of mine back in May. I want to try and get back into contention and there's no better place than this week.
"
Certainly, the other players in the field will feel the pressure of having McIlroy near the top of the leaderboard after the 26-year-old made an impressive start on Thursday.
There is a long way to go, and with no cut at the Turkish Airlines Open and a strong field, the four-time major champion will have to maintain his form all the way to Sunday evening.
But McIlroy is in a decent position after his opening round, and only a brave punter would bet against him kicking on come Friday.
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