Rory McIlroy happy with play after 1st round at Wells Fargo

May 14, 2015, 11:24 PM

Rory McIlroy signs autographs as he walks to the third tee during the pro-am for the Wells Fargo Ch...

Rory McIlroy signs autographs as he walks to the third tee during the pro-am for the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, May 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Rory McIlroy wasn’t going to let one bad shot ruin his round.

The world’s No. 1 knows he’s perfectly capable of making up ground on the competition with 54 holes remaining in the Wells Fargo Championship.

“If I can play the same sort of golf and get rid of the mistakes it will be close this week,” McIlroy said Thursday after an opening-round 70 for a 2-under par.

McIlroy is five shots back of leader Robert Streb after making a double-bogey on the par-3 17th hole over water.

He appeared on the verge of a late run at the leaderboard when his tee shot hit the rock wall in front of the green and his ball caromed high into the air and into the water.

“One big mistake,” McIlroy said.

McIlroy had just made par on No. 16 by hitting a 9-iron pin high from 166 yards. He went with an 8-iron from 178 yards on No. 17, but it wound up not being enough to carry the water when his ball got held up in the wind.

Despite the error, McIlroy said overall he was pleased with his round.

“I did what I wanted to,” said McIlroy, who won the event in 2010 for his first PGA Tour title. “I took advantage of the par 5s and made birdie on a couple of par 4s.”

McIlroy said he was pleased with his tee-to-green play entering the tournament, but vowed to be more aggressive with his putter this week.

He putted well for the most part, although left a birdie chance short on the 16th hole.

“I wasn’t thinking so much about trying to hold the putter, trying to make a good stroke,” McIlroy said. “I made a couple of nice ones.”

Phil Mickelson had his troubles, too, after a fast start.

Lefty opened with three birdies, but had a double bogey on the 18th hole when his tee shot wound up in the creek on the left side of the fairway. He shot 71.

Mickelson has long expressed his affinity for Quail Hollow, saying it suits his game perfectly. Yet, he is winless in 11 tries, although he has come close with five top-5 finishes.

He was off to a rousing start, sinking birdie putts from 6, 9 and 12 feet to start the back nine, drawing roars from the crowd. But the putts wouldn’t fall after his initial burst.

“I turned a 66 into a 71 today,” Mickelson said.

Mickelson, who missed the cut last week at The Players Championship, insists his game “isn’t that far off.”

While Mickelson faded after his strong start, Streb didn’t.

He enters the second round with a one-shot lead over Patrick Reed and Kevin Chappell.

After tying for 30th at The Players, Streb set the early pace with two quick birdies on the back nine and played a bogey-free round.

His 65 was the second-best opening round score of his brief PGA Tour career. He found his putting stroke last week at TPC Sawgrass and it was right there again at Quail Hollow.

“It’s the first time in a while I feel like I have my putter working,” Streb said.

It didn’t hurt that he caught a few breaks along the way.

On the par-5 seventh, Streb hit a pitch shot from 10 feet off the green too hard, but the ball hit midway up the flagstick and dropped 4 feet from the hole, leading to an easy birdie.

“I smashed the flag,” Streb said with a sheepish grin.

While many of the fans were heading for the parking lot to call it a day, Chappell turned in a strong finish with an eagle on the par-5 seventh and a birdie on the eighth to move into a tie with Reed for second place.

Reed spent time tied for the lead, but couldn’t maintain it after failing to save par on No. 17 when his tee shot landed in the sand.

Defending tournament champion J.B. Holmes put himself in position to become the first repeat winner in the tournament’s 13-year history by opening with a 69.

“I’m feeling really good about my game,” Holmes said.

Many of the world’s top players skipped the event, including Players winner Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson. Ernie Els withdrew because of a muscle strain.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


              Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, waves to fans after making his putt on the fifth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, waits to hit on the 17th tee during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Webb Simpson watches his tee shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
            
              Hideki Matsuyama, of Japan, chips to the 10th green during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Kevin Streelman watches his tee shot on the 15th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Patrick Reed watches his tee shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Ben Martin hits from a sand trap on the fifth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Henrik Stenson, of Sweden, hits from the fourth fairway during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Henrik Stenson watches his tee shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his second shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Stewart Cink watches his approach shot on the third hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Robert Streb hits to the fifth green during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
            
              Robert Streb reacts after making a birdie putt on the fifth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
            
              Webb Simpson watches his approach shot on the 10th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Webb Simpson watches his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              K.J. Choi lines up a putt on the first hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
            
              Charl Schwartzel, of South Africa, putts on the first hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
            
              Padraig Harrington, of Ireland, watches his putt on the first hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
            
              CORRECTS THE SPELLING OF SABBATINI - Rory Sabbatini, of South Africa, watches his tee shot on the second hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
            
              Jim Furyk lines up a putt on the 14th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Webb Simpson lines up a putt on the 10th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Jim Furyk watches his tee shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Louis Oosthuizen, of South Africa, watches his approach shot on the 10th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Phil Mickelson watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Phil Mickelson hits from the rough on the 11th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Robert Streb watches his tee shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
            
              Robert Streb hits from the rough on the fourth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
            
              Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his tee shot on the fifth hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Phil Mickelson hits from a sand trap on the 15th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
            
              Rory McIlroy signs autographs as he walks to the third tee during the pro-am for the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, May 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Golf

Michael Block, PGA club pro, championship...

Associated Press

Michael Block steals the show with hole-in-1 at PGA Championship

Club pro Michael Block made a hole-in-one, finished in the top-15 and teared up living his dream at the PGA Championship.

10 days ago

Brooks Koepka celebrates after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at Oak Hill Country Clu...

Associated Press

Brooks Koepka etches name in history with third PGA Championship win

Six weeks after letting a lead get away on the final day of the Masters, Brooks Koepka fended off challengers to win his third PGA title.

11 days ago

Tiger Woods hits from the fairway on the 15th hole during the weather delayed third round of the Ma...

Associated Press

Tiger Woods has fusion surgery on right ankle, rest of majors in doubt

Tiger Woods had fusion surgery on his right ankle Wednesday morning to alleviate arthritis from a broken bone.

1 month ago

Jon Rahm, The Masters...

Associated Press

Rahm ready to keep going at RBC Heritage after Masters win

The Masters' champion Jon Rahm, worn out from his four-shot victory last week, thought hard about passing up the RBC Heritage.

2 months ago

Jon Rahm of Spain is awarded the Green Jacket by 2022 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler of the Uni...

Wills Rice

Jon Rahm calls out Cardinals’ Zach Ertz during Masters championship speech

While he was giving his acceptance speech for winning the Masters, Jon Rahm took time out of his moment in history to call out Zach Ertz.

2 months ago

Jon Rahm, The Masters...

Associated Press

ASU’s Jon Rahm rallies to win his first Masters green jacket

Jon Rahm started Sunday with a four-shot deficit but became the fourth Spaniard to become a Masters champion.

2 months ago

Rory McIlroy happy with play after 1st round at Wells Fargo