Rory McIlroy: World number six seven from early Phoenix pace after one-under 70

Rory McIlroy first plays in the TPC Scottsdale event -8 M NeSmith (US), M Hubbard (US); -7 N Lashley (US), S Burns (US); -6 S Stricker (US); -5 T Hoge (US), X Schauffele (US), T Potter Jr (US), K Bradley (US), B Horschel (US), K-Hoon Lee ( Kor) Selected others: -3 R Knox (Sco), B Koepka (US), J Rahm (Spa); -2 L Oosthuizen (SA); -1 R McIlroy (NI)

Rory McIlroy was seven times the pace of the first round at the Phoenix Open after a one-under-par 70 including three fallen shots in his first two holes.

At the TPC Scottsdale event for the first time, the former world number one doubled his first hole and wasted another shot at the next.

Only three birdies before the turn brought him back to level par and he improved to two under for a late bogey.

American players Matthew NeSmith and Mark Hubbard lead after rounds of 63.

World No. 203 NeSmith's best finish on the PGA Tour is the sixth place at last year's Puerto Rico Open, while 153rd place in Hubbard's rankings. career achievements are second place at the Houston Open 2020.

After starting at 10th as McIlroy, NeSmith took to the turn in a six-under-par 30, aided by an eagle three in par-five 13th.

His second nine weren't that spectacular, but he managed to get third and sixth place birdies when he signed for his 63 which was quickly rivaled by Hubbard, 31, with other American players Nate Lashley and Sam Burns trailing after rounds of 64.

American Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker is in fifth place after a 65 – six lead over the European skipper Padraig Harrington – as Spain's number two Jon Rahm fired an opening 68.

McIlroy & # 39; s Horrible Start

The McIlroy of Northern Ireland got off to a horrible start when his opening tee shot ran into trouble before a thinned shot from the one greenside bunker to another eventually saw him take a six.

After another wrong tee-shot on his second hole, he missed a 6-foot par-putt before breaking a 13th par-5 break as he managed find the green with his second shot despite another pushed drive to the trash area.

Another par-five birdie on the 15th – despite his tee shot ending in a huge divot – and a long putt on the next one brought him back to level par, but as he improved to bottom two on his second nine, he missed a six-foot birdie chance on fourth before dropping a hit on his penultimate hole that shared 50th place.

McIlroy revealed on Wednesday that the incident involving a trapped ball at last week's Farmers Insurance Open was the result of a volunteer stepping on it during a search but not telling him, and also said in its media conference that the rule changes proposed by governing bodies to reduce distance in wave "reeked of self-esteem".

World Number Xander Schauffele, one of McIlroy's playing partners, shot a 66 that left the hello and shared sixth place in a group that included American PGA Champion Keegan Bradley from 2011.

Despite the global pandemic, a reduced daily crowd of 5,000 spectators is allowed in the Arizona tournament, which is normally known for a raucous atmosphere that is performed during the Super Bowl weekend.