Rory McIlroy shakes off boardroom drama with strong start at Quail Hollow

World number two Rory McIlroy is three strokes off the lead after the opening round of the Wells Fargo Championship. 

McIlroy raced out of the blocks at the signature PGA Tour event, held at Quail Hollow Club, with three quick birdies from the third. 

The 35-year-old then buried an eagle putt from 50 feet to move to five-under after seven holes. 

A sloppy bogey at the ninth saw him lose some momentum and on the back nine we saw the McIlroy we have come accustomed to in recent months. 

Three birdies and three bogeys saw McIlroy sign for a four-under 67 which left him three strokes behind the early pacesetter Xander Schauffele. 

Schauffele played like a man possessed and lipped out for albatross en route to his seven-under 64 but really it was his drop at the par-4 eighth that caused a stir. 

Some golf fans accused the American of cheating but he later defended himself robustly. 

Elsewhere, Collin Morikawa and Alex Noren signed for the same score as McIlroy. 

Justin Thomas and Jason Day are also inside the top-10. 

World number one Scottie Scheffler is absent as his heavily pregnant wife Meredith is due to give birth to their first child any day now. 

The field was also reduced to 68 players on day one as Hideki Matsuyama was forced to withdraw minutes before his tee time with a back injury. 

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