McIlroy finds form in the States

World Number Two Rory McIlroy put on his best driving display of the year on the opening day of the Wells Fargo Championship, where he shares the lead with six other players.

McIlroy kept the ball in play at Quail Hollow and gave himself plenty of birdie chances on a cloudy day, notching six birdies in a seven-hole stretch around the turn and finishing with a birdie putt from eight feet for a five under par round of 67.

It was the first time this year that the Northern Irishman has topped the leaderboard after any round, and the first time he has broken par in the opening round.

“Now that I feel like I’m swinging it well, this is the sort of golf I expect to play,” said McIlroy, who boasts a formidable record in the event, having won in 2010 – when he closed with a round of 62 – and finished tied second last year.

McIlroy currently shares the lead with Ryan Moore, Nick Watney, Nate Smith, Robert Garrigus, Derek Ernst and Daniel Summerhays.