Rory McIlroy struggles in St Jude Championship after poor finish

By Jim van Wijk, Press Association

Rory McIlroy made a run of costly late bogeys as he slipped to a four-over par opening round at the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis.

He had been aiming to rebuild some momentum heading into the PGA Tour Play-offs, following a run of disappointing results after his successful defence of his Masters title in April – which included tied for 40th at The Open at Royal Birkdale in Britain.

McIlroy, currently 12th in the FedExCup standings, was in a marquee pairing at TPC Southwind alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler on his return to the event he skipped last year.

A bogey on the par-five third was soon recovered with a birdie at the par-three fourth, before another dropped shot at the eighth saw him head into the turn at one-over.

McIlroy sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 11th, but a wayward tee shot off the 16th out to the right saw him make another bogey. His second at the 17th then bounced away past the green towards the stands, meaning a drop before eventually taking five.

There proved little relief on the 18th as McIlroy sent his tee shot into the water and then came up short in his approach, meaning a double bogey and a round of 74.

Scheffler, returning to action for the first time since finishing runner-up at the 3M Open, finished at two under, his only bogey coming on the 15th.

“I felt like I hit a lot of quality shots with my irons,” he said. “I did a good job of being patient and not trying to force it too much.

“I feel like I was right on the edge of having a good day, so I felt like patience-wise, I did a pretty good job.”

American duo Michael Thorbjornsen and Jordan Spieth set the early clubhouse lead at five under. England’s Tommy Fleetwood was a shot back after his 66, which included an eagle at the third.