Rory McIlroy signed for a round of one under par at the Egyptian Open presented by SODIC on Wednesday after a round of 71 for a share of twenty second place and trails the leader by six shots.
Alessandro Tadini of Italy produced a brilliant first round of seven under par 65 to take the lead at this the penultimate event of the Challenge Tour season and like many other players is seeking a good result to boost his chances of winning a place on The 2011 European Tour as one of the top 20 Ranked players.
The Italian is currently Ranked 23rd on the Challenge Tour and could seal his card by winning the US$ 40,000 first prize on offer at the stunning JW Marriott Mirage City Golf Club before the season finale in his homeland next week.
Eight birdies and just a single dropped shot saw Tadini establish a two stroke lead over Switzerland’s Julien Clément, Scotland’s George Murray and Dutchman Floris de Vries, with McIlroy posting a one under 71 to lie in a tie for 22nd.
With much of the focus understandably turning to Ryder Cup star McIlroy, the Challenge Tour players got down to business at this most crucial stage of the season with Tadini taking the first round spoils by establishing a new course record at the Cairo venue.
McIlroy struggled to show how good he is for most of the first round but managed to give the watching crowds a glimpse of his undoubted class at the end of his round. Two over par with three holes to play, the Northern Irishman birdied his way home to move to one under and keep himself well in contention with 54 holes to play.
“The first nine holes were probably the worst nine holes I have played all year,” said the 21 year-old. “I hit two fairways and three greens which tells the story really – I think I had 14 putts on the front nine for one over and got up and down from a flowerbed on the ninth so you are probably getting the picture there.
“I spent two hours on the range this morning working on the changes I have been trying make to my swing but I didn’t quite trust it on the course. I am working on my take-away and the way I am setting it on the way back. The club was getting inside on the way back so my left arm was getting away from me and then I on the way down I was coming over the plane so everything was going left.
“Because I was starting it left I was reluctant to release the club so every shot that I missed today I missed right but it was just one of those things.
“It is always the case when you are trying to make a change that the last place it comes good is on the golf course but I stuck with it on the back nine, played a bit better and made three nice birdies to finish which was great. I’m happy to shoot one under as it could have been worse.
“I still feel that I can go out tomorrow morning, carry on the way I finished today, make a few birdies and get right back in it.”
Colm Moriarty of Team Ireland carded a level par round of 72.
Gary Murphy finished with a round of 78 - after two double bogeys on holes 11 and 17 – to remain 6 over par on day one.
