Wells Fargo Championship: Rory McIlroy tied with Joel Dahmen after first round

McIlroy played the back nine in 31 on day one Wells Fargo Championship first round leaderboard-5 R McIlroy (NI), J Dahmen (US); -4 A Schenk (US), M Laird (Sco), P Reed (US), N Taylor (Can); -3 J Day (Aus), B Harman (US), K Mitchell (US), J Senden (Aus), B Todd (US), J Dufner (US) Other selected: -2 S Power (Ire), P Casey (Eng), S Garcia (Spa); -1 J Rose (Eng); level P Mickelson (US), R Fowler (US); +4 D Willett (Eng), P Harrington (Ire)

Rory McIlroy started his search for a third Wells Fargo Championship with a five-under-66 to share the first day lead with American Joel Dahmen.

Northern Ireland & # 39; s world number four birdied six of its last nine holes at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.

Scotsman Martin Laird, an early starter from the 10th, played six birdies and shares second place.

World number two, Justin Rose, pushed in a 41-foot birdie putt on the opening green and returned a one-under-70.

McIlroy, who turns 30 on Saturday, struggled off the tee in the first part of his round, finding the water on the seventh to drop his only shot of the day.

But he played some beautiful pictures on the back nine, including a rough approach to a foot of the flag for a birdie on the 11th

On the 493 – yard par four 16th, the start of the infamous "Green Mile" closing with three holes, a gigantic ride in the middle of the fairway was followed by a wedge of up to half a meter, leading to a third consecutive birdie and outright leadership.

He then sent a ride of 366 yards to the last one and a 135-meter wedge gave him another birdie chance, but the six-foot putt slid to the left.

World number 125 Dahmen came to the top of the leaderboard at McIlroy after making a birdie at the end.

The 31-year-old, still to be won on the PGA Tour, posted a bogey-free round.

Defending champion Jason Day is two shots from the match after mixing five birdies with two traps