McIlroy out of traps fast in Mexico

He has been saying for a while now that he needs to get off to better starts in events and in Mexico yesterday Rory McIlroy delivered. The World Number One soared into a two-stroke first round lead at the WGC-Mexico Championship to continue an excellent run of form of late with a six-under-par 65 at Chapultepec Golf Club.

The Northern Irishman has won every other World Golf Championships title and is hoping to complete the clean sweep this week in Mexico City, having triumphed at the most recent one – the WGC-HSBC Champions – in November.

McIlroy got off to a fast start after a stunning second shot into the par-five 11th hole - his second - yielded an eagle, and he finished in some style too as a pair of closing birdies moved the 30-year-old two clear of Bubba Watson and Justin Thomas.

Louis Oosthuizen was one of four players a shot further back on three-under, while his fellow European Tour Members Tyrrell Hatton, Paul Casey, Patrick Reed and Lee Westwood all carded two under par rounds of 69 to sit four off the lead.

Talking afterwards McIlroy said “It was good. All aspects of my game were working pretty well today. I drove the ball well, and I took advantage of that. I think the big thing was I putted well. I didn't putt so well at Riviera last week. I went back to my old putter, I was trying a new one last week. It didn't quite work out the way I wanted it to, but I was comfortable on the greens today and holed some nice ones coming in.

“I've always played well at altitude. I've played well in Crans over in Europe a few years. I finished second there last year, I obviously finished second here last year. I think I've got the altitude pretty figured out.”

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