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Jan 12th, 2017
Rory McIlroy is fast out of the traps for 2017
Shoots 5 under 67 at SA Open
Words: John Dean Photography: Getty Images
Rory McIlroy made a quick start to 2017 with a 5-under 67 in the first round at the SA Open on Thursday.
It was Rory’s first appearance at the tournament since 2008, at the special request of his good friend Ernie Els, and he certainly got out the traps for 2017 in some style
McIlroy had seven birdies – including four in a row from Nos. 14–17 after starting at the 10th. He finished his round a shot off the lead held by Trevor Fisher Jr. after the morning starters.
What was in Rory’s bag has been of great interest to everyone, and he said his new bag "is working pretty well."
"I'm sure as I get accustomed to them - I mean, it's nice to play my first competitive round and play like this - I'll get even more dialed in, and chop and change a little bit," McIlroy said.
His new Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero driver was clearly working well on the 1st, as he absolutely bombed it with a 392–yard drive.
Poor approach shots led to bogeys on the fourth and fifth, but he replied with a tee shot on the par-3 sixth that stopped on the slope in the middle of the green and rolled back down to two feet, for a tap-in birdie.
He was in the rough on his final three holes but scrambled to par Nos. 7 and 9 and made a birdie on No. 8.
"I gave myself chances, felt I missed a few but I played well," McIlroy said. "It was a bit adventurous on the back nine, scrambled a bit and did my bit to salvage a few holes."
Thomas Aiken and Dean Burmester are alongside McIlroy. Els and defending champion Brandon Stone started with 74s.
Related:
Callaway launch Great Big Bertha Sub Zero
