MCILROY, TWO OTHERS SHARE LEAD IN BAHAMAS

NASSAU—Rory McIlroy fired a six-under-par 66 to share the lead with American Daniel Berger and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer after Thursday’s opening round of the 22nd Hero World Challenge.

A four-time Major winner, McIlroy, playing the 20-man invitational event for the first time since 2013, made clutch pars on 16 and 18 to keep his place among the leaders at Albany resort.

Americans Webb Simpson, Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas shared fourth after 67s, with Thomas stumbling out of the lead after a closing double bogey.

The event, featuring 17 of the world’s top 25 golfers, was not contested last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, ranked 179th, defends the crown he won in 2019.

McIlroy, the world No. 8, birdied three of the first five holes but signed for a double bogey at the ninth.

The 32-year-old Northern Ireland star began the back nine with back-to-back birdies and added an eagle on the par-4 14th. McIlroy followed with a birdie on the par-5 15th and parred in from there.

“I was really proud of myself after that double bogey. I played the back nine five-under. That was a good response to that little setback,” McIlroy said.

“I played the par-5s at par. That’s not good enough to win out here. I can’t rely upon doing what I did today over the next three days.”

McIlroy, who has bounced back after a disappointing performance in Europe’s Ryder Cup loss to the United States in September, seeks his third victory of the year after Professional Golfers’ Association titles at Quail Hollow and the CJ Cup.