McIlroy leads Italian Open on next year's Ryder Cup course

GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — Rory McIlroy’s first competitive round on next year’s Ryder Cup course was a success.

The four-time major champion holed out an approach shot for an eagle en route to a 4-under 67 for an early share of the clubhouse lead in the opening round of the Italian Open on Thursday at the Marco Simone club outside Rome.

After producing only one birdie on his opening nine holes — having starting his round on the back nine — McIlroy shot up the leaderboard when he landed his second shot on the par-4 453-yard third a few feet from the hole. The ball then rolled in and McIlroy lifted his arms in delight as he watched from afar back up the fairway.

“That eagle obviously ignited something and sort of kick started my round a little bit,” McIlroy said. “I played some really good golf on the way in. I played the more difficult nine well and the easier nine not so well, so probably evened out. Just need to tidy up a few things going into the next few days.”

With later starters still on the course, McIlroy was tied for the lead with Gavin Green of Malaysia and Adri Arnaus of Spain.

Defending champion Nicolai Højgaard, who played in a group with McIlroy and two-time Italian Open champion Francesco Molinari, finished one stroke behind the leaders.

McIlroy went 5 under over his final seven holes.

The start of play was delayed for an hour because of lightning and conditions remained blustery throughout the day.

On the par-5 626-yard 18th, McIlroy drove his tee shot into high grass and had to chip out into the fairway before eventually sinking a 20-foot putt to save par.

“If you get it going off line here off the tee it’s very, very difficult,” McIlroy said. “The rough is incredibly thick and there’s sort of