Rory McIlroy eight shots behind after first round of Wells Fargo Championship

Rory McIlroy finished the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship eight shots off the pace after carding one-over-par 73 in North Carolina.

The Northern Irishman was level par after the first three holes and rounded off a positive front nine with birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh holes.

The four-time Major winner lost his momentum as he made his way around the course by dropping shots on the 12th and 13th before suffering a double bogey on the final hole.

There was a bizarre moment when McIlroy and his playing partner Rickie Fowler were on the sixth tee as a spectator threw a golf ball onto the course with an ear plug attached to it.

Elsewhere, Steve Wheatcroft, who eagled the fifth and 10th holes, took a share of the lead with Andrew Loupe as both carded seven-under-par 65s.

Fowler sits six strokes off the top after finishing his round one-under-par.