McIlroy bounces back in style

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Rory McIlroy shrugged off a bout of food poisoning to lie one shot off the lead at the WGC-Mexico Championship on his return from injury.

McIlroy had been on the sidelines for seven weeks with a rib problem before returning to action in Mexico City on Thursday.

The world number three carded an opening three-under round of 68 after hitting one eagle, two birdies and a bogey, despite a stomach illness.

He said: “The rib is fine, it’s great actually. How I’ve responded the last couple of weeks, ramping up the practice and then playing my first full competitive round today, I didn’t feel it at all, so it’s all positive in that regard.

“I probably could have played the Honda (Classic) last week but I wasn’t going to know how my body was going to react playing four days in a row.

“I’m taking next week off to see how everything reacts and responds so it was the logical place to come back. I stayed patient and the week longer will definitely pay off.”

Veterans Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson are among six players with a share of the lead.

Westwood was on course to be the overnight leader, before bogeying the last two holes.

The pair join Ross Fisher, Ryan Moore, Jimmy Walker and Jon Rahm at the top of the leaderboard.

McIlroy, England’s Chris Wood and Spain’s Sergio Garcia are among a six-man group a shot behind the leaders.

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