Here in his own words is what the World No, 1 Rory McIlroy had to say in his first competitive round of golf in 53 days:-

“It was a game of two nines you could say. I was really trying to hold on the front nine and there were a few more chances on the back nine and I took advantage of the par fives. It was great being back though. I was quite nervous on the first tee, not having hit a competitive shot for two months. It wasn’t the best of starts, but the two shots on the second hole settled me down.

I’m a little disappointed with my finish, but overall it was a pretty good round.

The ankle felt great, like it has done all week. It’s not

Rory McIlroy spekas to the media after his round of 71 (check out the shoes).

an issue at all and anyone can see that with the way I was hitting it out there.

We are due a bit of wind again on Sunday, so maybe the conditions will be a little more scoreable tomorrow andSaturday. There are holes you have to take advantage of on this golf course, like the par fives, and you hang on elsewhere. There is a lot of trouble out there and a couple of times I had to take my medicine out there. AS long as you make more birdies than bogeys you will be alright. I didn’t had that bad a tee shot on the eighth hole but got caught in a bad lie. So things like that.

It was a good solid round. I feel good. The ankle held up well and everyone can see that it’s not an issue. I played well and felt I left a couple of shots out there with some of the putts, but it was a very encouraging day. It was one of those days where sometimes it was good to make a par and move on. I realised that and there were a few holes on the back nine I could take advantage of. Thankfully I took a couple of them on the par fives. We had to grind out on the front nine and it was a bit easier coming in.

I’m in the tournament. It was very important for me not to go out there and shoot myself out of it right away. So to be there only five off the lead, playing in the tougher conditions – I wish I could have been one or two shots better – but hopefully I will go out there on the back nine tomorrow where there are some chances, and get off to a good start.

The ankle is a non-issue. I’m stretching it because I want to keep it mobile and more out of habit than anything else after the last few weeks. I think you can see with the swings I’m making that I’m confident in it.”