Rory McIlroy left new sponsors, Nike crimson-faced after recording two double bogeys in his first round of a new season of a three-over par 75.
McIlroy is sporting the Nike swoosh for a first time in competition but the distinctive logo was hardly standout with the World No. 1 hitting just five of 14 fairways including sending his tee shot at the third’s score were two double bogeys including driving out-of-bounds, at his 12th hole while he hit just five of 14 fairways on the National course in Abu Dhabi.
World No.1 Rory McIlroy signals OOB at the 12th hole of his round on day one of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
It left Nike’s reputed $200m new recruit trailing eight strokes behind the leading pair of World No. 5 Justin Rose and Welshman Jamie Donaldson who posted 67s.
And 14-time Major winning Tiger Woods won an opening day points decision in his duel season with McIlroy posting a level par 72.
It is the first time McIlroy has recorded two double bogeys in a round since missing the halfway cut with a second day 79 in last May’s Memorial event in Dublin, Ohio.
McIlroy had also recorded two doubles on the first day of ‘Jack’s event’ staged a fortnight prior to his U.S. Open defence.
As well, McIlroy’s round was his highest-ever score in 21 rounds of the National course in the UAE capital and two strokes more than his previous poorest score of 73 on debut in the event in 2008.
“I felt like I was a little bit rusty,” said McIlroy.
“I’m also disappointed as I felt I could have played better. I could have shot a better score. So I mean, just need to go and out there tomorrow and shoot something a little better.
“I also haven’t played any competitive golf for eight weeks. I guess also when you’re going out with new stuff, you and ‘re going to be a bit anxious.”
