DORAL, Fla. — After his unceremonious missed cut at the Honda Classic last week, Rory McIlroy came to Trump Doral poised to play like the No. 1 ranked player in the world that he is.
But in Thursday’s first round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship, McIlroy looked anything like the player who has won the last two major championships and who’ll be vying for the rare career Grand Slam when he plays the Masters next month.
After a poor start, McIlroy rallied to shoot a 1-over 73, 11 shots behind leader J.B. Holmes.
Afterward, McIlroy lamented having the same “tentativeness’’ he had last week at the Honda.
“Just another day where I didn’t get off to the greatest of starts and couldn’t really get anything going again,’’ he said. “I still felt a little bit tentative out there on the front nine, and then being 4-over after the turn, I was sort of like, ‘There’s not much else to lose, go ahead and try and be aggressive.’ I hit some better shots on the way in.”
McIlroy added: “I think it’s just a matter of playing my way back into some sort of rhythm. Because it is very good on the range, and it is very good in normal play and I’m not playing a tournament. Then I’ve got a card in my hand the last couple weeks and it just hasn’t quite been there.
“I don’t feel like it’s that far away. That’s the frustrating thing. Four [tournament] rounds ago I was winning a golf tournament [in the Middle East]. It shouldn’t be confidence. I’ve played well already this year.
“It’s close to where I could go out [Friday] and shoot a low number and get myself back in the tournament.’’
McIlroy said he understands the scrutiny and expectation that come with being No. 1.
“I realize what’s expected of me,’’ he said. “I expect a lot from myself, but you know, shooting 1‑over par out there today isn’t too bad. It’s obviously not what I wanted. But no reason to panic and no reason to be alarmed.’’
Phil Mickelson, who shot a 2-over 74 despite hitting only three fairways, did not card a birdie for the first time in 185 tournament rounds.
Defending champion Patrick Reed got off to a great start with birdies on his first three holes, but finished 1-under and wasn’t happy about it.
“Pretty poor round, honestly,’’ Reed said. “Yeah, I got off to a fast start, but No. 10 was playing straight down-wind, No. 12 was playing straight down-wind, and I had a tap-in on No. 11. But besides that I did not hit the ball particularly well.’’
Thomas Bjorn withdrew after shooting 36 on his front nine, for what he described as a personal issue.