McIlroy happy his putter is hotting up again

Rory McIlroy enjoyed a long walk with his putter for the first time in months as he opened his quest for a third Race to Dubai crown in four years with a bogey free 67 in the Turkish Airlines Open.

The former world No 1 has struggled with the putter since returning from is ankle injury in August but after taking just 28 putts and draining a 25-footer at his 12th hole in a five-under-par first round, the Holywood star is right there he wants to be.

South Africa’s Jaco Van Zyl took advantage of placing, soft greens and windless conditions to post an 11 under par 61 for a three-shot lead over world No 46 Lee Westwood, whose 64 was his best round for 14 months.