Adam Scott versus Rory McIlroy Show played again at Memorial in Ohio today and it is the Northern Irishman who leads the way.
Fresh from his win in the European PGA at Wentworth, the brilliant McIlroy shot an astonishing first-round 63 to lead Jack Nicklaus' Memorial by three shots. McIlroy spent part of the day limping with a sore left knee, and wincing after some of his shots. But he had two eagles on the back nine, and needed just 22 putts, to set the scene, saying later that he was unsure about the problem with his knee. He was heading to see a physiotherapist to have the injury assessed.
Playing alongside of him Scott was only a little inferior on the day, carding a three-under-par 69 that could have been much better. Scott paid dearly for his one serious mistake, a blocked approach from the middle of the fairway into the water right of the green on the par-four ninth.
The Australian is tied-11th after the first round with Aaron Baddeley, who had an extraordinary round. Baddeley played the back nine first and turned in 40, then hammered home five consecutive birdies to finish the day to come home in 29.
Marc Leishman and Greg Chalmers (both 71) also went under par, while in his return to professional golf Jason Day played with Scott and McIlroy and ground his way to an opening 72.