RORY MCILROY’S SHAKY start to the season continued as he struggled in the opening round of the Houston Open yesterday.
In his final tournament before the Masters, McIlroy’s hopes of wresting back his world number one status from Tiger Woods were dented by a one-over-par 73.
His round included a double-bogey on the par-three eighth and three bogeys. After struggling on the front nine, McIlroy rebounded after the turn making birdie on three of his first four holes.
“It wasn’t the start I wanted,” McIlroy said.
I made a couple quick birdies to start back nine which helped. I started to commit to my shots on back nine bit more which helped. Hopefully I can go out there tomorrow in good conditions and get some back.
At the top of the leaderboard, DA Points fired an eight-under-par 64 to grab a one-stroke lead. Points has a slim lead over fellow Americans Cameron Tringale and John Rollins, who each carded a seven-under 65 at the Redstone Golf Club.
“They’re not super difficult holes,” Points said. “But if you hit it where you’re looking and you leave it in the right spot, you make a good stroke, you give yourself good chances to make birdies.
“Today I finally saw some balls go in the hole.”
Shane Lowry, the only other Irish competitor in the field, finished on one-under-par, seven shots off Points’ lead.
