Rory McIlroy: Memorial Tournament First Round One Under

Rory McIlroy recovered from early tee-shot struggles to card a one-under-par opening round of 71 at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio.

The reigning Masters champion is making only his sixth regular PGA Tour appearance of the year at Muirfield.

The prestigious event is famously hosted by 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus.

Early water hazard and recovery

The Northern Irishman’s round was immediately hampered by a double bogey on the third hole after his ball found the water.

He quickly responded with a superb run of three consecutive birdies to reach the turn at one under par.

The world number two was forced into a difficult recovery on the 13th following a hooked tee-shot deep into the left rough.

He managed to save par before a pinpoint approach to within two feet on the 14th set up another crucial birdie.

The 37-year-old experienced further drama on the par-five 15th when his second shot bounced off a Nicklaus Club tent.

He chipped up safely to the edge of the green to secure his par.

A final wayward drive on the 18th narrowly missed the water but led to a dropped shot, leaving him four strokes off the pace.

I felt like I played pretty well, for the most part, especially after making that double bogey on the third hole.

I would like to hit a few more fairways, give myself a few more chances from the short grass, but overall, not a bad score to build from.

Tommy Fleetwood set the clubhouse lead at five under par alongside American pair Wyndham Clark and JJ Spaun.

Canada’s Nick Taylor sits one shot back, while Justin Rose and Ireland’s Shane Lowry are further down the leaderboard.

McIlroy continues to manage his schedule carefully ahead of the upcoming US Open at Shinnecock Hills in New York.