Rory McIlroy battled his way through the Shanghai smog to just barely keep sight of Welshman Jamie Donaldson and the tearaway leader on the opening day of the BMW Masters.
The current World No. 1 ranked McIlroy revealed he picked up a headache late in his round of a five under par 67 and brought on by the heavily contaminated air in the Chinese financial capital.
Rory McIlroy fights his way through the Shanghai smog to keep in sight of tearaway first round leader, Jamie Donaldson. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
However there was some relief when McIlroy punched his way through the pollution to land a 144-yard, 9-iron second shot at the last to just four feet and end with a birdie to trail five shots behind Donaldson.
“I started to get a bit of a headache on the back nine and that’s because of all the factories and stuff around here, so we’re not breathing in the cleanest air,” he said.
“But then a good night’s sleep tonight and I should be okay for tomorrow.”
A check of the U.S. Consulate’s website and their Air Quality Monitor revealed level at the time of McIlroy’s round were ‘unhealthy’, meaning that people suffering with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should reduce prolong or heavy exertion.
Donaldson, who leads Ryder Cup stars Peter Hanson and Francesco Molinari by four, had visions of a European Tour first-ever sub-60 round when he birdied the 13th to go to eight under before eventually settling for a new course record of a 10-under par 62 on the Lake Malaren course.
“I knew I was shooting low but thought after the birdie on 13 that with five to go that a 59 could be on but then I missed the birdie on 14,” said Donaldson.
“It’s crazy because you’re playing the best golf you can and I’ve finished 10-under par but I’m still three off the number.”
And the 37-year old, who ended a 255-tournament drought in July for a maiden Tour success at the Irish Open, looks set to join an exodus of players headed for the PGA Tour later this year.
“I’m 51st I the world at the moment but I need to keep moving forward and get well inside the top-50 before I can think about the PGA Tour School later next month,” said the Welshman.
“It will be the last year for the PGA Tour School but there is still loads to play before I need to enter.
“But if it had not been for wining at Royal Portrush all these many doors would not now be opening for me.”
And McIlroy could understand the confidence Donaldson has gleaned since his four shot Royal Portrush success.
“When you win a first event like Jamie did at the Irish Open, it gives you a lot of confidence because I felt like I was knocking on the door for quite a while before my win in Dubai.
“I had lost a play-off in Hong Kong, finished a shot outside a play-off in South Africa; lost a play-off in Switzerland. So I had close calls.
“But when you do win it’s more a relief and you get that first one out of the way and you can concentrate on trying to win more.
“Winning then becomes a habit, the more you win, the more you get comfortable with it and the more you get used to it.
“I sort of discovered that and felt that over the past couple of years.”
Also shooting 67 was victorious Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal and Belfast’s Michael Hoey.
Hoey had move to five under par after a dozen holes but then stalled with six closing pars as he seeks to move from 61st on the money list and inside the top-60 to qualify for next month’s season-ending Dubai World Championship.
“I got knocked back from 58th after last weeks’ event but fortunately I am into the Singapore Open and Hong Kong Open, but then anything can happen,” he said.
“There’s Alvaro Quiros and other guys who are well beneath me and who could make two or three hundred grans in a heartbeat, so you really can’t look at it and say, I just need to make 10 grand, as that doesn’t work.”
Fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell carded a three under par 69, Shane Lowry a level par 72, Darren Clarke a 74 and Paul McGinley a 74 in the no-cut event.
With the draw being changed and based on leader board position, McIlroy and Hoey were set to play the second round in the company of Olazabal.
