Rory Recovers from Rocky Start

Rory McIlroy recovered from a terrible start at the Memorial Tournament to card a one-under 71 that keeps him in touch with the first-round pacesetters.

The Northern Irishman shot a quadruple-bogey seven on the 12th - his third hole, having started on the 10th - at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

But four birdies and an eagle on the fifth moved McIlroy to one under - two behind the clubhouse leaders.

World number one Luke Donald also shot a 71, while Tiger Woods carded a 70.

McIlroy, who defends his US Open title next month, will be determined to put in a good performance following two consecutive missed cuts at the The Players Championship and the BMW PGA Championship.

The world number two made par in his first two holes before sending his tee shot into the bunker behind the green on the par-three 12th.

McIlroy's next shot sailed into a pond for a penalty stroke before his fourth landed in a bunker. After reaching the green, he then two-putted from 15 feet.

It was a demoralising start to the round but the 23-year-old recovered well, making birdies on the 14th and 15th.

He dropped a shot on the 17th but a birdie and an eagle coming home meant the danger of a third consecutive missed cut receded.

"It wasn't the start that I wanted to get off to, being four over through three holes, especially after the last few weeks," said McIlroy.

"I was just like, 'Here we go again'. But I hung in there well, and I'm proud of myself for the way I fought back. To finish the round under par I thought was a really good effort."

Woods, who has won the tournament four times before, shot a double-bogey six on the 18th - his ninth - but that was the only blemish on his scorecard as four birdies saw him back in the clubhouse on two under.

"It certainly could have been a lot lower, but I'm pleased with the way I hit the golf ball," he said. "I didn't do anything great and I didn't do anything poorly."

Donald, winner of the BMW PGA Championship last time out, also ran up a double bogey on the 18th but three birdies in his round keeps him in contention.

"There are some tougher pins out there and overall I'll take one under and try and play better the next three days," said the Englishman.

With half the field still to head out onto the course, South African Rory Sabbatini, Australian Aaron Baddeley, Argentina's Andres Romero and Blake Adams of the United States are the clubhouse leaders on three under.