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Rory McIlroy endured a torrid start to the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing as he scrapped his way to a three-over 73 on the first day of the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens.
The world No 1 struggled to get to grips with the blustery conditions at PGA National, losing a ball from his opening tee shot and finding water at the short fifth as he carded two double-bogeys in the first five holes.
The 2012 champion, who lost out to Russell Henley in a play-off last year, did manage to birdie the final two holes to limit the damage, but his main priority on Friday will be to make the cut rather than think about contending for the lead.
Jim Herman was the surprise outright leader after a commendable 65, the American being one of only two players to keep a bogey off his card in round one, while Padraig Harrington made a welcome return to form with a solid three-under 67.
Herman eased to the turn in 33 and picked up another shot at the 10th before birdies at two of the final three holes earned him a one-stroke lead over compatriot Brendan Steele, who mixed six birdies with two bogeys in his 66.
Harrington recovered from an early mistake at the second with birdies at the third and eighth and, like Herman, the Irishman also birdied 16 and 18 to round off an excellent day’s work.
The three-time major champion was joined on three under by Martin Flores and US Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed, who had only seven pars in a roller-coaster opening round.
Reed made three straight birdies from the third and added another at eight in an outward 31, but he then dropped four shots in six holes after the turn before further birdies at 16 and 18 lifted him back into the top three.
US Open champion Martin Kaymer was two over after five holes after starting on the 10th, but he birdied three of the next four and picked up another at the sixth to return a solid 68.
"It's not boring here, said the German. "Every single hole you have to think and be very creative. I enjoy it. It was a proper test. The wind was blowing from every direction."
Kaymer shares sixth with Ryder Cup team-mate Jamie Donaldson, who couldn't build on a remarkable start as he birdied three of his four four holes before dropped shots at the seventh and 10th halted his progress.
The Welshman hit back with a birdie at 14 and parred in to remain at two under, while Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Scotland's Russell Knox were a shot further adrift as only 19 players managed to break par by the end of the first day's play.
Lee Westwood holed his second shot to the 10th for eagle but then had a run of three bogeys in four holes and finished on one over alongside the likes of Ian Poulter and Phil Mickelson.
Sergio Garcia had an early triple-bogey on his card as he slipped to five over before recovering with three birdies in four holes to get back to two over - one better than fellow Gleneagles heroes McIlroy, Justin Rose and Victor Dubuisson.
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