Rory McIlroy makes light of illness and layoff to move into contention

Rust. Extreme altitude. And an upset stomach following a losing battle to a plate of Mexican food the night before that had him up at 3 a.m.

Teeing it up at this week’s WGC-Mexico Championship, McIlroy was expected to just get his feet wet after missing time with a rib injury, and having the flu.

McIlroy, playing for the first time since January 15 because of a hairline rib fracture, was rarely out of position, blasted a 4-iron out of the rough from 256 yards to set up an eagle and wound up with a 3-under 68. A stunning response ensued.

McIlroy holed out from 156 yards for eagle on the 14th hole, part of a three-hole stretch Friday when he seized control at Chapultepec Golf Club.

“Meanwhile American veteran Phil Mickelson is in hot pursuit along with countryman Justin Thomas and Englishman Ross Fisher who are all tied for second in Mexico City”.

Marcus Fraser took the leading Australian honours after day one with a 71 enough to share 28th at even par, while Sam Brazel (tied 61st) struggled to a 75.

McIlroy started the day by driving the green on the short par-four first before three-putting for par, but then birdied the second, fourth, sixth and ninth to reach the turn in 31.

A distinctly European flavour to the leaderboard is enhanced by Tyrrell Hatton, who is five under par and alongside Thomas Pieters. Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer shot 68, and Lydia Ko opened with a 69.

Even though McIlroy is just 27 years old, he’s been around so long that it can be easy to take him for granted. Doral is without a tournament for the first time since 1962. “Although I was 10 and I was playing other sports, I would watch these guys on the telly a fair bit. Every hole seems uphill”.

Despite a mediocre overall display from the Dallas-born ace, Speith’s 30-seconds of mastery and versatility on the turf helped him recoup some form going ahead. “Bones is irreplaceable”, he said.

“He’s irreplaceable, he’s one of the best in the business”, Mickelson said of Mackay. But he’s hurting, he just hasn’t been feeling well. ” … It’s a golf course you have to play quite conservatively. It’s a great test and I think whoever’s designed the golf course has done a great job”.

“I was just doing what I felt was respectful”, he said. “To see a few putts dropping in today, especially on the sloped greens as they are, it gives me a lot of confidence going forward”.

“He does give me the needle but I think that’s so amusing and keeps me relaxed”.

“I cut a bit of distance off it and it went a little left but I got a nice bounce and it’s always a huge lift when they go in”.