Two-time Wells Fargo Championship winner Rory McIlroy opened with a share of the lead, with Dylan Frittelli tucked in nicely after round one.
McIlroy is playing arguably the most consistent golf of his career; he finished in the top 10 in seven consecutive events before finishing T21 at the Masters. Now, he co-leads in a tournament where he is the only player with multiple wins.
The Northern Irishman, who changed his swing slightly after his Masters disappointment, made five back-nine birdies to shoot 66 and join Joel Dahmen on top.
McIlroy has set a new course record in each of his wins, and is certainly riding the wave of confidence.
‘Every time I step on to this golf course, I feel like I have chance to shoot a good score,’ said McIlroy, who sits third in the FedExCup after winning The Players earlier in the year.
‘I didn’t play my best today. I sort of managed my game well, scrambled well, but it added up to a good number at the end of the day.’
With only two South Africans in the field this week, it was Frittelli who burst out of the blocks with a warm putter aiding his progress.
He birdied four of his opening six holes – a stretch that included one bogey – to set the tempo and was able to share third after birdies at his 16th and 17th holes. Frittelli will be keen to pad his stats on Friday with six fairways missed as he relied on a flawless record inside 10 feet on the greens to sit alongside Patrick Reed and three others behind the leaders.
Ernie Els shot 74 in a round that included just a single birdie.
Jason Day, yet to defend a title on the PGA Tour for the first time, shot 68 to sit two back with seven others.
Phil Mickelson could only manage an even-par 71.
