PALM BEACH GARDENS (UNITED STATES) - World number one Rory McIlroy battled to a three-over 73 at a windswept Honda Classic on Thursday in his first US PGA Tour start of 2015.
Rory McIlroy plays his tee shot on the 14th hole during the first round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa on February 26, 2015 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Given the daunting conditions, which saw only 19 players break par, the Northern Irishman wasn't too disappointed with an effort that left him eight shots off the pace set by Web.com Tour graduate Jim Herman.
"I'm coming off a three-week break, tough conditions to come back in," McIlroy said. "Today wasn't what I wanted to start with, but if I can get it into red numbers tomorrow I'm right back in the tournament."
McIlroy opened with a double-bogey at the first hole of the par-70 PGA National layout, unable to find his tee shot that landed in the brush.
He had another double-bogey from the water at the par-three fifth, and was five-over before salvaging his round with a birdie-birdie finish.
"The wind started to die down for us the last few holes," said McIlroy, who said he told playing partner Brooks Koepka as they headed toward the 15th tee, "Let's just make a couple birdies on the way in, try to get something out of it."
Koepka, winner of the Phoenix Open earlier this month, ended up signing for an eight-over 78 while Dustin Johnson, the third man in the group, posted a 77.
McIlroy, coming off a victory in the Dubai Desert Classic and a runner-up finish in Abu Dhabi in his first two European starts of the season, managed to finish on a better note and was optimistic of more improvement Friday.
"I looked at the forecast for tomorrow morning ... it looks nice. Hopefully the conditions will be a little easier," he said.
The struggles of McIlroy and so many others only made Herman's round look all the more impressive.
Herman, who lives in nearby Palm City, played without a bogey in the morning wave.
"It was a little unexpected to get to five(-under)," he admitted. "I was trying to keep it around par."
Herman had a one-shot lead over fellow American Brendan Steele.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington shared third place on three-under 67 with Americans Martin Flores and Patrick Reed.