Beginning on the back nine, McIlroy got off to a modest start with four consecutive pars. It was on No. 14 where he hit his first birdie and things started to pick up. . McIlroy's tee shot on that hole put him in a bad position where he had to take a drop in the right rough. His second shot landed 16 inches from the hole, setting him with an easy birdie putt. PGA TOUR @PGATOUR Blind shotOver treesWater behind greenIt's not supposed to look this easy, @McIlroyRory. �� pic.twitter.com/DGtFHUha9n McIlroy followed that with a birdie on his next hole and on No. 17 to make the turn at two under par overall.