Rory finds form, but McDowell suffering

IT’S ALL but certain that Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell will be living in the same state next year but they went in opposite directions on the opening day of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at a hot and sticky Firestone Country Club.

McDowell went out in three under 32 but fell foul of some bad luck and a balky driver as he limped back to the clubhouse in 39 blows, signing for a 71 that left him near the bottom of the leaderboard on one over.

For McIlroy, who insisted yesterday that he’s “95%” certain to rejoin the PGA Tour next year, the day went from bad to better.