‘Rusty’ Rory McIlroy five shots off the pace in Truist Championship

The Masters champion hit a four-under-par 66.

Rory McIlroy hits on the fourth hole during the first round of the Truist Championship (Matt Rourke/AP)

Rory McIlroy admitted he felt “a little rusty” as he opened his Truist Championship title defence with a four-under-par 66, five behind leader Keith Mitchell.

McIlroy littered six birdies with a couple of dropped shots on the back nine as he began his build-up for next week’s US PGA Championship.