McIlroy shoots 68 in return; Fleetwood leads at Quail Hollow

A little time away from golf proved helpful for birthday boy Rory McIlroy. The world’s third-ranked player shot a 3-under 68 at the Wells Fargo Championship on Thursday in his first tournament since missing the cut at the Masters, leaving him three shots behind first-round leader Tommy Fleetwood. Fleetwood’s 65 was one shot better than Xander Schauffele, Kevin Streelman, Taylor Moore, K.H. Lee and Ryan Palmer, who are tied for second at 5 under. Patrick Cantlay, with Tiger Woods’ former caddie Joe LaCava on his bag, shot 67. McIlroy withdrew from the HBC Heritage following a disappointing second round 77 at Augusta National that left him three shots off the cut line.

McIlroy shoots 68 in return; Fleetwood leads at Quail Hollow, Sports

McIlroy shoots 68 in return; Fleetwood leads at Quail Hollow

McIlroy shoots 68 in return; Fleetwood leads at Quail Hollow

McIlroy shoots 68 in return; Fleetwood leads at Quail Hollow - Restoration NewsMedia

McIlroy shoots 68 in return; Fleetwood leads at Quail Hollow - Sportstar

England's Fleetwood grabs one-stroke lead at Quail Hollow

McIlroy shoots 68 in return; Fleetwood leads at Quail Hollow

Jordan Spieth has ground to make up after first round of Wells Fargo Championship

Rory McIlroy shoots 68, Tommy Fleetwood leads at Wells Fargo - ESPN

Rory_McIlroy

Rory McIlroy roars into Players with winning 62 at Quail Hollow

Rory McIlroy second as Keith Mitchell takes two-shot lead at Wells Fargo Championship

VIDEO) Peterson's two eagles carries him to lead at Quail Hollow