Rory McIlroy carded four birdies on the back nine in a four-under 67 to share the first day lead with Keegan Bradley on his quest to become the PGA Grand Slam Champion in Bermuda.
The 22-year-old US Open champion from Northern Ireland holed from 30 feet at the 12th in the two-day competition for the four winners of the year’s major Championships.
Masters champion Charl Schwartzel shot a 74 and Open-winner Darren Clarke slumped to a 77.
McIlroy reached the turn at two-under, despite missing a series of short putts from inside 10 feet at the extremely tough Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton.
He birdied the fifth after almost driving the 380-yard par-four but three-putted the 11th before his round was revived by the long putt at 12.
Bradley was out of the blocks quickly, firing majestic six-irons to within two feet at both the second and seventh for his eagles to reach six-under but bogeyed the 14th and 16th to drop back to four under.
Today should make for interesting viewing, hopefully Darren Clarke can play some better golf and challenge the young guns for the title.
