Northern Irishman five off lead after opening 66
Scheffler hits 63, Fleetwood and MacIntyre 64
More Rory McIlroy drama in Georgia. Events at the final hole of the opening round of the Tour Championship barely compared with what played out at Augusta National in April but these were still moments of McIlroy box office. No wonder he stood laughing with arm aloft.
McIlroy found himself in a greenside bunker in two at the par-five 18th. He caught his attempt from the sand trap far too cleanly, the ball flying over the flag and rebounding from a grandstand. The bounce was favourable; McIlroy had 17ft left for a birdie. The putt found the bottom of the cup, much to the amusement of McIlroy and his playing partner Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy’s 66 at East Lake leaves him five shy of the first-round lead after Russell Henley’s stunning 61.
This was a fine day for Keegan Bradley, were he not in the midst of the toughest choice of his professional career. Henley will play under Bradley for the United States in the Ryder Cup next month. Scheffler continued his excellent form with a 63, including a back half of just 31. The 64s of Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas were notable with that trio likely to receive captain’s picks from Bradley. The key dilemma surrounds whether Bradley is also going to select himself, thereby becoming the first playing captain in a Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963.
