Shane Lowry made a good start at the Memorial Tournament on Thursday, shooting a three-under 69 that left him in a tie for fourth after the first round.
American Ben Griffin, a winner last week at the Charles Schwab Challenge, is the early pace-setter at Muirfield Village, his seven-under 65 setting the target for the rest of the field heading into Friday's second round.
Griffin's card featured one eagle and a three-birdie run. He finished the day with a two-shot advantage over Collin Morikawa, a two-time runner-up at the tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus.
Lowry is four shots off the lead but will be happy with his day's work at the $20m tournament.
The Offaly man picked up three birdies to offset a couple of bogeys, but the highlight of his round came on the par-five seventh. A super approach shot left him within four feet of the hole for an eagle, which he drained.
In third place was Max Homa with a four-under 68.
Homa has fared better since parting with caddie Joe Greiner, who now works for Morikawa. Homa is searching for his first win on tour since January 2023.
US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Canadian Nick Taylor sit alongside Lowry on three-under while world no. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler posted a two-under 70.
Only 13 players managed to shoot under par Thursday.
McIlroy is skipping Nicklaus' prestigious annual event for the first time since 2017.
Asked at his traditional pre-tournament press conference for his reaction to McIlroy's absence, Nicklaus said: "Yeah, it surprised me.
"But, you know, guys have got schedules and got things they do. And, you know, I haven't talked to him for him to tell me why or why not. It's just his call.
"I don't hold anything against Rory for that. He did what he likes to play. I know he likes to play so many in a row."
Additional reporting: Reuters
