Mcilroy And Lowry Six Off Zurich Classic Pace

Rory McIlroy and partner Shane Lowry changeable a eight-under-par 64 which near them six disconnected nan gait arsenic they began nan defence of their Zurich Classic title.

With nan Masters champion struggling connected nan opening 9 arsenic Lowry kept them successful contention aft they had started astatine nan 10th, McIlroy said he "didn't do anything" earlier improving aft nan move erstwhile he birdied nan first and eagled nan second.

"Shane joked I could person sewage a mates other hours successful furniture if I wanted to," said McIlroy aft his first competitory information since completing nan profession Grand Slam astatine Augusta connected 13 April.

"I played a spot amended coming in. It was OK."

The Irish brace way Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo who fired a 58 successful nan opening fourball round, which put them a changeable up of Danish brothers Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard.

"We felt for illustration we near a fewer shots retired location but we were conscionable saying nan 2 foursomes days connected Friday and Sunday present are nan important days successful this tournament," added McIlroy, 35.

"It's important for america to evidently station a bully people tomorrow."

Collin Morikawa and chap US subordinate Kurt Kitayama are successful nan group sharing 3rd spot aft firing a 61, pinch England's Matt Wallace and partner Thorbjorn Olesen a further changeable back.

England's Aaron Rai and American Sahith Theegal changeable an opening 63 pinch nan pairings of Scotland's Robert MacIntyre and Belgium's Thomas Detry and European Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald and Colombia's Camilo Villegas sharing 28th spot pinch McIlroy and Lowry.

The reigning champions person ne'er successfully defended nan Zurich Classic title.