Rory McIlroy stars as Harold Varner III leads the PGA Tour comeback event in Texas

Rory McIlroy needed a birdie on the latter to match the 61 course record, but ended with a bogey

World number one Rory McIlroy hit a sensational seven under par 63 to be halfway through two shots of US leader Harold Varner III. move phase of the return of the PGA Tour in Texas.

McIlroy sheltered an eagle and seven birdies, with his only bogey last when he improved to nine below.

Varner III started with a triple bogey, but had five birdies in his last six holes in a 66 when he reached 11 under.

Americans Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeau are under 65 after 10.

The English Justin Rose, who shared the overnight lead on the Charles Schawb Challenge with Varner III on seven, birdied the first two holes, but his momentum was stopped with a bogey on the third.

Further bogeys followed on the 10th and 11th but birdies on the 13th and 18th saw him draw for a 69th and eighth total.

Varner III leads American Challenge

Varner III ranks 124th and is one of the few black American professional players on the PGA Tour circuit that is central to the racial and social PGA- circuit. injustice talk this week in Fort Worth, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the worldwide protests that followed.

He started on the par-four 10th and bridged his opening run and also found a bunker and rough while placing a seven. Three birdies in his next six holes repaired the damage and due to his excellent final run, he placed a goal in the clubhouse that none of the later starters could match.

More to follow.