McIlroy rediscovers his sparkle with Diamond at his side
So far so good for new partnership
Rory McIlroy is off to a flier in Ohio.
The World Number 4 looked like he had put his recent troubles behind him as he scored superb 67 -3 on the opening day of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational event.
That puts him currently two shots off clubhouse leader Thomas Pieters.
With new caddy, Harry Diamond, at his side for the first time since the departure of JP Fitzgerald, McIlroy looked assured.
After carding five birdies at the Firestone Country Club, he said it was a case of so far so good with the new partnership.
“It was good,'' McIlroy said of a round marred somewhat by a three-putt bogey on the ninth, his final hole, following a poor approach.
”I'm taking a little bit more responsibility on myself and there were a couple of times where I probably should have hit another club, but that's on me, not anyone else.
“I'd much rather be frustrated at my own decision than someone else's. It's great to have my best mate on the bag and we're just having a good time.
“It was strange the first couple of holes. It's different but I stuck to it today, I played pretty well. I guess it's the start of the next chapter in my career and we'll go from here.'