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.
Danielle Joynson
