Struggling McIlroy says he was “trying to embrace the challenge”

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy said he was “trying to embrace the challenge” of a course he does not enjoy playing after opening with a two-over-par 73 at the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open in Arizona.

Are you kidding 🤯@McIlroyRory has no issues from the trees @WMPhoenixOpen. pic.twitter.com/t6Ljad7w3o

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 9, 2023

“I struggle off the tee and the fairway bunkers are in my landing zones.”

Frost delayed play by nearly two hours with 68 players unable to complete round one at TPC Scottsdale.

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McIlroy, who won last month’s Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour, is playing the tournament for just the second time, having made his debut in 2021.

He started on the 10th and mixed four bogeys with two birdies in blustery conditions.

However, he made an incredible par on the second hole after a wayward drive left his ball a foot from a fence.

McIlroy gouged out a sensational shot from 128 yards and two-putted from 42 feet with trees blocking his view of the green.

Canadians Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin overcame an early weather delay to card five-under-par 66s and grab a one-shot lead .