Rory McIlroy is happy to take on ‘a little bit more responsibility’ after opening with a 67 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron in his first round without JP Fitzgerald.
McIlroy’s first round in nine years without Fitzgerald included five birdies and two bogeys, including one on his last hole after a three putt, at Firestone Country Club.
The new man on his bag – Harry Diamond – was McIlroy’s best man and a former top amateur.
‘It was good,’ McIlroy said after his round.
‘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.’
McIlroy admits his game is still a little off.
‘The putter feels really good.
‘It felt good at the Open and I’ve been working hard on it, trying to blend the technical stuff with a little bit of feel as well and I feel like it’s coming together.
‘I didn’t feel like I had my best stuff at Birkdale but I was able to finish decent. I really feel like I tuned a corner at Birkdale and it’s nice to open with a good round here.’
The first round lead is held by Thomas Pieters after his bogey-free 65 to lead by one from Scotland’s Russell Knox.
