McIlroy misery continues as world No 2 shoots opening round of 78 in Ohio

By MIKE DAWES

Published: 17:52 EDT, 30 May 2013 | Updated: 17:52 EDT, 30 May 2013

Rory McIlroy’s poor run of form showed no sign of abating on Thursday as he shot an opening 78 to finish six over par on the first day of the Memorial Tournament in Ohio.

The Northern Irishman missed the cut at the BMW PGA Championship last week, admitting he had been put off by poor weather at Wentworth.

But his fortunes do not appear to have improved in the United States. Starting on the back nine, McIlroy had an ideal first hole with a birdie at the par-four 10th, but it was all downhill from there.

Out of sorts: McIlroy struggled in his opening round in Ohio

A double bogey at the 12th heralded a woeful day, with a further three bogeys racked up before the turn.

There was no respite on the front nine as he hit a further three bogeys, interspersed with a birdie at the fifth, before squandering birdie chances at the final two holes.

Lee Westwood also endured a miserable opening round of 76. The Englishman hit three bogeys and a double bogey on his way to a  four-over total.

Wake-up call: McIlroy will be hoping to fare better in his second round

In contrast, South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel made up for hitting a bogey and a double bogey with 10 birdies in a seven-under-par round of 65.

That was one shot ahead of America’s Scott Piercy, who hit eight birdies — including five on consecutive holes — only to then drop shots at the 12th and 18th.