Friday 4 May 2018 08:11, UK
Rory McIlroy made a strong start to his bid for a third Wells Fargo Championship title after getting within three strokes of the early lead at Quail Hollow.
McIlroy, making his first appearance since the Masters, mixed five birdies with two bogeys on his way to an opening-round 68 in North Carolina.
"I would've taken 68 this morning," McIlroy said. "I'm happy with my days' work. "I love this place. I feel like I don't have to play that well and I can still get it around."
Beginning on the back nine alongside Paul Casey and James Hahn, McIlroy nudged in from close range to birdie the par-five 10th and posted a two-putt par from distance at the next.
The Northern Irishman rolled in a 12-foot birdie at the 13th and picked up another shot at the 16th to briefly grab the outright lead, only to find the hazard off the 18th tee on his way to a bogey five.
McIlroy narrowly missed a 25-foot birdie attempt at the first but holed a 10-footer at the next to reclaim a share of the lead, before recovering from finding the trees off the third tee to get up-and-down for par.
The world No 7 bogeyed the sixth after missing the green off the par-three tee but bounced back to post a close-range birdie at the next, with pars over his last two holes keeping him at three under.
Peter Malnati posted a four-under 67 to set the morning clubhouse target, which Tyrrell Hatton matched after finishing his round with back-to-back birdies.
John Peterson later eagled two of his final three holes to post a six-under 65 and open up a two-shot lead, while Tiger Woods was six off the pace after a level-par 71
"I hit the ball fine today, but if I'd just make a few putts I'd shoot probably two to three under," Woods said. "I just didn't make anything today and I really struggled hitting getting the pace right.
"The way this golf course is set up and the way it's playing right now, the guys are going to be stacked. We're all going to be close. There's going to be probably, I'm guessing, 15 guys or so with a chance on Sunday."
Watch the Wells Fargo Championship throughout the week on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage continues on Friday from midday.
