Hero World Challenge: Rory McIlroy co-leader after the 1st round

It’s all about timing in life. Rory McIlroy measures it this week in the Bahamas, where he is competing in the Hero World Challenge. This is the first time since 2013 that the Northern Irishman has returned to the Albany Resort course, reserved for 20 golfers. McIlroy positioned himself from the start, with 17 of the top 25 players in the world in attendance.

Despite a double bogey, thanks to six birdies and even an eagle on a par-4, he surrendered a card of 66 to six under the par Thursday, to take the lead in the company of Daniel Berger and Abraham Ancer. The 32-year-old Northern Irishman is aiming for his third win of the season after his successes on the PGA Tour at Quail Hollow in May and the CJ Cup in October. His year was also marked by the disillusionment experienced at the time of the Ryder Cup, lost to the United States in September.

But Ryder Cup tears seemed far away on Thursday. To the point of making McIlroy regret that it is December and not at any other time of the year. “I would like us to be at another time, yes, at the end of March for example“, he said. Yes, he would like to be at the beginning of spring, just before the Masters, the only one of the four Grand Slam tournaments missing from his record.

“But there’s no reason I can’t keep playing like this for months to come, he added. I will continue to train for the next few weeks, I will not put my clubs away. It’s always nice to play well, anyway. “Although there are times even better than others for it.

Hero World Challenge – Ranking after the first round

1. Daniel Berger (USA) -6 (66)
Abraham Ancer (MEX) -6 (66)
Rory McIlroy (NIR) -6 (66)
4. Webb Simpson (USA) -5 (67)
Brooks Koepka (USA) -5 (67)
Justin Thomas (USA) -5 (67)
7. Tony Finau (USA) -4 (68)
Patrick Reed (USA) -4 (68)
Viktor Hovland (NOR) -4 (68)
Collin Morikawa (USA) -4 (68)