No Hollywood ending as Rory McIlroy's challenge collapses

In spite of getting off to the best possible start with an eagle 3 at his opening hole, Rory McIlroy’s bid to get his US PGA Tour off to a winning start in the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles last night collapsed in dramatic fashion, finishing four over for the day, to end the tournament at six under in a tie for 20th.

He looked to be very much on the right road when a 25-foot eagle putt found the target at the opening par five hole. It left him 12 under for the tournament and only one behind early pace setter, Australian Adam Scott.

However, the Down man’s game quickly went to pieces and three bogeys in five holes, at the 3rd, 6th and 7th, set him back to one over for the day and nine under overall, at that stage six behind a rampant Scott who got off to a blistering start and was five under for his day after six.