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Rory McIlroy tees off on the third hole during the first round of the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters. (AP Photo)
eastern promise

Rory does his talking on the course as he's out on his own in Shanghai

Paired with former stablemate, Lee Westwood, the Holywood man is leading from the front.

RORY MCILROY SHOT an impressive eight-under-par 64 to get his bid for the record £1.25million jackpot at the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters off to a flier.

Intriguingly, the Holywood man was paired with former stablemate Lee Westwood.

That came after McIlory made the surprising decision to leave Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler’s camp last week.

Westwood tweeted that the decision was bizaare, while regular social media user McIlroy failed to respond.

He is now represented – along with good friend Graeme McDowell – at Dublin-based Horizon. Though G-Mac insisted earlier that the decision had nothing to do with him.

The US Open champion’s bogey-free round gives him a one-shot lead, with American Hunter Mahan his closest challenger. He told his Twitter followers afterwards:

“Very happy with my opening 64 at the shanghai masters…. Hopefully I can keep it going over the next few days!”

Pádraig Harrington shares third place, three off the lead, with Paul Casey and Ian Poulter while Westwood finished on 69.

- additional reporting AP

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