Rory McIlroy began a fresh bid to topple Luke Donald as world No. 1 with a challenging four-under-par 66 in the Honda Classic in Florida Thursday.
The Northern Ireland star briefly held the early clubhouse lead until U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III carded a six-under 64 to tie the course record.
The 47-year-old Love, who insists he will play against Europe in Chicago in September if he qualifies, did his cause no harm with a hole in one at the 217-yard fifth and finished with a birdie at the last to open up a two-shot lead on the field.
But most eyes in the morning play were on Rory McIlroy, who had PGA Championship titleholder Keegan Bradley and Kyle Stanley in his three-man group.
Full story: McIlroy makes fast start in new bid to claim world No. 1 ranking