World number one Rory McIlroy showed no signs of improving his poor start to the season, as he began his defence of the Honda Classic title at Palm Beach on Thursday.
The Irish man was level par for his first round which left him six shots behind leader Camilo Villegas. Branden Grace, Graham DeLaet, Rickie Fowler and Robert Streb lie lie just behind the leader on five under, while Graeme McDowell finished on three under after a 67.
McIlroy has struggled with his game in the early weeks of the new campaign, having after moved to new sponsor Nike. He made a first-round exit at the Accenture Match Play Championship to Shane Lowry last week.
“It’s hard to commit to the shot that you need to play every time,” McIlroy told www.pgatour.com. “I felt like I hit the ball okay, not as good as I can, but it’s getting there.”
