McIlroy faces battle as Woods takes pole position

The battle for the $10 million (€7.65m) FedEx Cup Series bonus is still very much alive after yesterday’s first round of the Tour Championship at East Lake, Atlanta.

Ireland’s Rory McIlroy led the way going into the $8.4m event with his playing partner, Tiger Woods, immediately behind but at the end of the day the advantage had certainly switched to the American.

The 14 times Major champion was the more impressive of the two and a four under par 66 put him into a share of the tournament lead with England’s Justin Rose, one ahead of US Ryder Cup player Matt Kuchar and his compatriots Bo Van Pelt and Scott Piercy.

“I played very well today,” said Woods. “The adrenalin was flowing. I still have an extra gear but on this course, you must keep the ball below the hole. For me, winning takes care of everything.”

McIlroy said, who shot a one-under 69: “Tiger played better than me today but it was fun out there. I’m really enjoying my first look at this course. Tiger and I enjoyed playing together. I have become more comfortable playing with him. The more you are around a guy, the better it becomes. I’m not intimidated by him and he’s not intimidated by me and I’m sure we will be playing many more times together in the future.”

Phil Mickelson, third in the FedEx rankings at the outset, remains very much in the hunt after a one-under par 69 and a birdie, birdie finish for a two under 68 keeps Brandt Snedeker in the picture. However, Nick Watney lost a lot of ground with a four over 74 that left him at the back of the elite 30-strong field.

With so much at stake, it was inevitable Woods and McIlroy commanded by far the largest gallery on glorious day in Georgia. Tiger was the more impressive between tee and green for much of the opening holes but enjoyed a mere one shot advantage until the 586 yards 9th. Whereas he got up and down from sand for a birdie, McIlroy had to settle for par leaving Tiger out in two under 33 to 35 by the Irishman.

With so much talent in the elite 30 strong field, they needed to avoid getting into a match-play situation although you wouldn’t have thought so at the 12th. Woods might have felt he had stretched his advantage still further when he holed a chip from the back of the green but McIlroy showed what he was made of when following him in with a 25 foot putt to dip below par for the first time.

All the time, though, Woods held the edge. He birdied the 16th to join Rose at the top of the leader board and that’s how it remained to the end of a fascinating round.