Rory McIlroy is back in action for the first time since his second Masters win at the Truist Championship
Shane Lowry(Image: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Shane Lowry is a notable absentee from the Truist Championship in North Carolina this week as Rory McIlroy returns to action.
The two-time Masters champion is playing in his first tournament since his second success at Augusta National last month. However, Lowry has opted to skip the Truist Championship ahead of the second major of the season next week – the USPGA at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia.
While McIlroy has been very selective with the tournaments he has competed in this year, Lowry has danced almost every dance, playing five more times than his close friend.
The Offaly man could opt to stay at home in Florida over the coming days to work on his game ahead of the PGA Championship, a tournament he has four top-12 finishes from the last seven renewals.
Meanwhile, McIlroy had to settle for just a single birdie on the closing hole of his return outing at the Truist Championship on Thursday.
Following a weather interruption, McIlroy, who teed off his round on the 10th, acknowledged it had been a fairly quiet opening display, with scoring chances scarce until one ultimately presented itself on the par-four ninth.
“I knew that I made so many pars, but I was thinking I can’t remember the last time I played a round of golf and didn’t have a birdie – I was like ‘just try to make one’,” said McIlroy, who posted a 70.
“I felt like I didn’t make birdie at seven, didn’t make birdie at eight, so then I thought my chance had passed me by, but nice to see one putt go in there at the last.”
Rory McIlroy(Image: Getty Images)
McIlroy, though, remains upbeat as he eyes a stronger performance over the weekend.
“I wasn’t frustrated, I was hitting good putts, some days they just don’t want to go in,” he said.
“I just needed to figure out the reads a little bit better, but sort of felt like I got into it by the end of the round.” Matt McCarty tops the leaderboard after an impressive eight-under 63, holding a one-shot advantage over Sungjae Kim, who had one hole remaining when play was suspended. Sepp Straka also had a hole left and was part of a group sitting on five under, which included England’s Harry Hall.
Tommy Fleetwood and Alex Fitzpatrick are both well placed at four under – although Matt Fitzpatrick struggled during his opening round, carding a three-over 74.
“I felt like I played well. I played really solid, putted very well. Felt like I holed two or three really key putts,” Fleetwood said.
“It is not an easy golf course. It is an amazing challenge and I think if you shoot under par around here it is always a good day.”
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