Rory McIlroy concluded his opening round at the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis with a four-over par 74, following a series of costly late bogeys. The Northern Irishman, currently 12th in the FedExCup standings, had aimed to build momentum for the PGA Tour Play-offs.
McIlroy's round at TPC Southwind saw him make a bogey on the par-five third, which was offset by a birdie on the par-three fourth. Another dropped shot at the eighth meant he reached the turn at one-over.
Despite a 15-foot birdie putt on the 11th, McIlroy's round unravelled from the 16th with a wayward tee shot leading to a bogey. His second shot on the 17th bounced past the green, resulting in a five. The 18th proved no easier, as his tee shot found the water and his approach fell short, leading to a double bogey.
World number one Scottie Scheffler, playing alongside McIlroy, finished his round at two under, with his only bogey occurring on the 15th. American golfers Michael Thorbjornsen and Jordan Spieth set the early clubhouse lead at five under, while England's Tommy Fleetwood is a shot back after a 66 that included an eagle.