Rory McIlroy on the heels of leader Mackenzie Hughes at Travelers Championship

Rory McIlroy put together one of his most consistent rounds of golf since the return of the PGA Tour to close out the opening day of the Travelers Championship tied for 2nd place.
Only a stellar showing from Mackenzie Hughes kept McIlroy from the top spot, with the Canadian posting a near-flawless 10-under 60 to take a three-shot lead into day two in Connecticut.
Hughes needed a birdie at the last to shoot 59, but the world number 158 left his putt short.
A 7-under 63 for @McIlroyRory in Round 1 @TravelersChamp.
Highlights from his first round: pic.twitter.com/3sHpx62l54
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 25, 2020
McIlroy struggled to make an impact in either of the previous two tournaments held since the tour’s resumption, failing to finish inside the top 30.
But the Northern Irishman looked every bit the world number one on Thursday, claiming an early eagle on the par-five 13th, his fourth hole, before hitting birdies at the 14th and 15th.
McIlroy also bounced back from a bogey on the par-three 16th with a further four birdies to end the day with a seven-under round of 63, putting him alongside American Xander Schauffele and Norway’s Viktor Hovland.
Three players shot 63 Thursday …
and they all trail by 3.
Get caught up on all the first-round action @TravelersChamp in The Takeaway. pic.twitter.com/ggxahqWD0U
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 26, 2020
Irishman Shane Lowry posted a commendable four-under 66 to head into day two tied for 17th.
Meanwhile England’s Justin Rose and Ian Poulter both had mixed outings, finishing tied for 33rd with scores of 67.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
Lucas Glover edges past Patrick Cantlay to claim back-to-back Tour wins
Glover, 43, ultimately claimed victory with a par on the 18th hole playoff after Cantlay found water off the tee.
-
Lilia Vu wins second major as Charley Hull comes up short despite stunning eagle
American Vu added the Women’s Open title to her Chevron Championship.
-
Lucas Glover holds onto lead in Memphis with Tommy Fleetwood two strokes behind
Glover said it was a scrappy day but he got ‘a lot out of’ what he had.
-
Charley Hull shares lead with Lilia Vu heading into final day of Women’s Open
The pair are nine under for the tournament.
-
On This Day in 2007 – Tiger Woods claims 13th major with victory in Oklahoma
The world number one successfully defended his US PGA Championship title.
-
Ally Ewing out to emulate Brian Harman with Open win
The pair share their southern roots, passion for hunting and college teams named the Bulldogs.
-
Ally Ewing storms clear during second round of AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath
At 10 under par Ewing enjoyed a five-shot lead over compatriot Andrea Lee and Japan’s Minami Katsu.
-
Jordan Spieth leads by one after first round of FedEx St Jude Championship
England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai are the best of the British contingent, closing out Thursday on four under par.
-
Rory McIlroy delighted with Tiger Woods’ role on PGA Tour’s policy board
Woods, 47, has not played since withdrawing from April’s Masters and concedes his playing opportunities will be extremely limited going forward.