Friday 19 February 2016 11:32, UK
Rory McIlroy believes his game is heading in the right direction after making an encouraging start to his Northern Trust Open debut.
The four-time major champion kicked off his first of five tournaments in a six-week stretch with a four-under 67 at Riviera Country Club, keeping him within one stroke of the clubhouse leaders Chez Reavie, Bubba Watson and Luke List.
McIlroy's gym-heavy training regime was brought in to question ahead of the West Coast Swing finale, with concerns raised about the risk of injury, but the world No 3 was encouraged by his start to the week as he chases a first win of the year.
"It's a great golf course and I'm glad I got off to a good start," McIlroy said. "I put myself out of position a couple of times, but with the way the golf course was playing it didn't punish you much.
"I felt like my pace on the greens was good and I lag-putted well. All of the things that you need to do around this golf course, I did pretty well today."
Beginning on the back nine, McIlroy followed a seven-foot birdie at the 10th by finding the green in two at the monster 589-yard par-five next and two-putting from distance.
McIlroy's only blemish of the day came when he found the rough with his approach in to the 15th and was unable to save par from 12 feet, but the Northern Irishman bounced back with a gain at the 17th.
Although a tap-in birdie at the first lifted McIlroy within two of early pacesetter Reavie, the world No 3 struggled to find his rhythm and was unable to convert a number of chances along the closing stretch.
After carding a string of pars and missing a 10-footer at the sixth, McIlroy pitched to three feet at the par-four next to post a fifth and final birdie of the day.
"I really like it (Riviera)," McIlroy added. "I'd heard a lot of good things about the golf course. I've watched it on TV a lot of times and having now seen it and played it, it has lived up to every expectation.
"It would've been nice to play the golf course a little firmer than it was this morning, but hopefully it will as the week goes on and presents a challenge.
"I feel really comfortable with my game at the moment. I feel like my game is in good shape and I can get in to contention."
Watch the Northern Trust Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
