Rory McIlroy holds one-shot Honda Classic lead in Florida

22:30 | 28.02.2014
Rory McIlroy holds one-shot Honda Classic lead in Florida

Rory McIlroy holds one-shot Honda Classic lead in Florida

-7: R McIlroy (NI) -6: R Henley (US) -5: R Sabbatini (SA), J Donaldson (Wal), W McGirt (US) Selected others: -3: L Donald (Eng); -2: P Harrington (Ire)

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy hit a first-round seven-under 63 to lead the Honda Classic in Florida by one shot.McIlroy, who won this title in 2012 to become world number one, birdied his last two holes to cap a fine bogey-free round to lead American Russell Henley.Jamie Donaldson of Wales is in a tie for third after carding a five-under-par 67, while England's Luke Donald is two shots further back on three under.Tiger Woods is eight shots off the lead after shooting a one-over-par 71.McIlroy was seven over after eight holes of the second round when he infamously walked off the Palm Beach Gardens course citing toothache to bring a premature end to his defence of the title last year.However, the world number eight started Thursday's round in fine form with a 27-foot birdie putt at the second and followed that with tap-in birdie at the par-five third.Three successive birdies from the ninth, including a 45-foot putt on the 11th, took him to five under before his late surge saw him establish a one-shot lead."I played really solid," said McIlroy. "I think the key around here this week is hitting fairways and greens."It is ball-striker's golf course. If you can keep the ball in play and give yourself birdie chances, that is the name of the game here."American Zach Johnson hit a quadruple-bogey eight on the par-four 11th, his second, but recovered to post a 67 and join Donald, who had a six on the same hole, on three under.(BBC)ANN.Az

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