Shane Lowry mocks Rory McIlroy during first round of Zurich Classic title defence

Rory McIlroy revealed how his playing partner and good pal Shane Lowry mocked him during the early stages of the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. 

McIlroy, 35, is making his first appearance on the PGA Tour this week since becoming just the sixth player in the history of the men's game to complete the career grand slam two weeks ago at The Masters. 

The World No.2 is playing alongside his Irish buddy Lowry, 38, and they are looking to become the first team to defend the title at TPC Louisiana.

McIlroy returned home to Northern Ireland for Easter where he celebrated his Masters win and the career grand slam with his parents, Rosie and Gerry, who were unable to be with him at golf's first major of the season in Georgia. 

Unfortunately McIlroy picked up an illness during his week back home.

And it appeared to affect him during the early stages of the first round of the Zurich Classic. 

But thankfully Thursday was fourballs and he had his partner Lowry to fall back on.

McIlroy didn't register a birdie for the team until their 10th hole of the day at the par-4 1st. 

He then made an eagle on the 2nd. 

Lowry didn't let McIlroy forget about his lacklustre start either, albeit tongue-in-cheek.

He told McIlroy he could have had longer in bed if he wanted. 

"Shane got off to a really good start and I didn't do anything," said McIlroy.

"Shane joked I could have got a couple extra hours in bed if I wanted to.

"But yeah, I played a bit better coming in. Yeah, it was okay. We felt like we left a few shots out there, but we were just saying the two foursomes days on Friday and Sunday here are the important days in this tournament, and it's important for us to obviously post a good score tomorrow."

McIlroy and Lowry went on to card a respectable 8-under 64 in the opening round.

But it leaves them with plenty of work to do at six shots off the pace, currently set by new Zurich Classic fourball record holders Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo, who nipped round in a stunning 14-under 58. 

European Ryder Cup hopefuls and Danish twins Nicolai Hojgaard and Rasmus Hojgaard also got off to a hot start with an impressive 13-under 59. 

A round that will be music to the ears of European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, who is also competing this week. 

Donald is playing alongside Camilo Villegas. 

A number of other star pairings are looking to make ground on the leaders, including in-form Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin, and Collin Morikawa and Kurt Kitayama.

Friday's round is the much tougher foursomes, an alternate shot format that typically separates the best teams. 

Saturday's third round then reverts back to fourballs, where both balls are in play like on Thursday, before foursomes returns for Sunday's final round.

Keep up to date with live scores from the Zurich Classic of New Orleans here