Rory McIlroy is three shots off the lead at the Genesis Invitational after an opening round 67.
The Holywood man finished on four-under-par after a bogey-free round as he played alongside Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas.
Woods marked his return to competitive action with a closing trio of birdies as he carded 69 during the first round in California.
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The tournament host is five strokes back from co-leaders Max Homa and Keith Mitchell at Riviera Country Club, after not having played an event without the use of a cart since last summer’s Open Championship, when he missed the cut at St Andrews.
The 47-year-old’s legs held up on a day where he mixed five birdies with three bogeys on a mild California afternoon.
“I was able to fight back and get it going,” Woods said after play. “It was a nice finish.”
Fans at Riviera got to see Woods play alongside close friends Thomas and McIlroy, with the trio all birdying the 18th.
McIlroy is continuing his mission to replace Scottie Scheffler at the head of the rankings, with Scheffler could managing an opening round 70.
Victory for McIlroy would see him overhaul the American regardless of the latter’s result, while outright third place would be good enough for him unless Scheffler finishes in the top 25 or Jon Rahm wins or is outright second.
Rahm was third with a 65, one stroke behind the co-leaders, heading into the second round.
Meanwhile, Shane Lowry is two-under-par after an opening round 69, with Seamus Power two shots further back on the leaderboard.
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