Rueful Rory remains upbeat despite late collapse

Rory McIlroy’s indifferent season continued with the World No. 2 letting slip a sub-par effort with five bogeys over his closing six holes on the opening day of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

It was a winter-like day in Surrey, more for woollens, waterproofs and gloves, with McIlroy moving three under par after 12 holes but ending with a two over par 74 that included having to take a penalty drop at the last.

If left the double Major winner trailing by eight shots from South African James Kingston who leads the flagship event with a six under par 66. And despite the late blunders, McIlroy said he’s still happy with his game.

“I feel as though I am playing well enough but it is just not being reflected on my scorecard,” said McIlroy, who also had 33 putts in his round.

“I played the first 12 holes really not missing a shot but I just feel at the minute I am not getting that much out of my rounds,” he added.

McIlroy played in the company of his Medinah Ryder Cup winning team mates, Graeme McDowell and Paul Lawrie but they fared little better with McDowell also shooting a 74 that included a double bogey at the last, and the Scot a 75.

McDowell arrived at Tour HQ jokingly predicting a poor week after having posted results of missed cut (Masters), win (RBC Heritage), missed cut (Players) and win (Volvo World Match-Play Championship) in his last four events.

He had just one birdie, at the 10th hole, in his round and ended by putting his approach shot into the hazard guarding the green.

It was the second year in succession the World No. 7 made a mess at 18 after taking an ‘8’ on day one a year ago.

“I played okay but it was just a typical Wentworth performance from me really, hang in, hang in and hang in, and then pull my driver a little on the last there,” he said.

“I didn’t think I would make the hazard at 18 and I’m licking my chops with a 6-iron that’s all over the pin and it got knocked out of the sky, so I make double on the last after battling all day.

“I just don’t play this golf course well. I don’t see a score around it well. It needs to be fiery for me to have a chance really. I find it kind of long and a bit of a slog. It’s a tough golf course, let’s be honest. I knew anything around par today would be a good effort.

“I’m in great form after last week as I’m swinging the club great. I’m feeling great. Just sometimes you get to golf courses which don’t fit your eye 100 per cent.”

Shane Lowry heads the Irish contingent after posting a two under par 70 and one fewer than Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley who was playing alongside his Irish compatriot.

And with the start of Ryder Cup qualifying just a few months away McGinley, while full of praise for the reigning Portugal Masters champ, was also very diplomatic in his assessment.

“Shane played very well and he is like a number of kids,” said McGinley.

“I don’t want to put pressure on them or expectation on them but he is a great kid.

“Though there is another 40 guys capable of stepping up to that level and I wish him the best of luck and I will be full of encouragement for him as I will be everybody else.

“Chances are, there will be rookies in the European team and that bunch of guys ready to step up and Shane is one of those, so I will be watching him closely like I will the rest of the guys.”