Jan 12, 2016: Rory McIlroy got his 2017 campaign off to a flying start at the BMW SA Open.
The World Number Two carded a five under par 67 to lie just one shot behind early pace-setters Keith Horne and Trevor Fisher Jnr at the Glendower Golf Club in the city of Ekurhuleni, South Africa.
In town as a favour to his great friend and tournament host Ernie Els, McIlroy did not disappoint the huge and expectant crowd which lined the fairways of Glendower to see one of golf’s biggest stars in action.
Playing with mostly new equipment in his bag, McIlroy made a solid start of four pars before flicking the switch and making four consecutive birdies to charge up the leaderboard.
I am pleased but I feel that if we get conditions like that for the rest of the week I can definitely go lower – Rory McIlroy
He made the turn in 32 and picked up another birdie before dropping two shots in a row on the back nine.
The 27 year old hit back in typical style though, almost holing in one to pick up an easy birdie on the par three sixth before he cancelled out his other dropped shot with another birdie on the eighth to sign for a 67.
Home favourites Horne and Fisher Jnr went one better to lead on six under, while McIlroy was joined by last year’s European Challenge Tour Number One Jordan L Smith as well as the South African trio of Thomas Aiken, Dean Burmester and Jbe Kruger.
Former Ryder Cup Captains Darren Clarke and Sir Nick Faldo produced some of their old magic to delight the home crowds with a pair of two under par 70s and stay very much in touch with the leaders.
European Tour Release
