Rory Roars at Quail Hollow


Rory McIlroy established a new course record of 11-under-par 61 to soar into the lead at the Wells Fargo Championship. The $7.1 million PGA Tour event is taking place at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.

McIlroy, who set the previous record of 62 (later tied by Brendon de Jonge) in the final round of the 2010 Quail Hollow Championship en route to his first victory in the U.S., carded five birdies on the front nine and six more - including five in a row on Nos. 12-16 - on the back to enter Sunday at 18-under 198, four strokes ahead of local favorite Webb Simpson.

McIroy had a chance to match the Tour's all-time record of 59, but he parred the par-3 17th and the difficult par-4 18th. Still, the top-ranked player in the world was ecstatic with how he played. "I got off to a great start. The course was gettable," he said during a TV interview.

"You never think you're going out and do something like that. Obviously delighted with the score - it's great to break your own course record," added McIlroy, who won the WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship two weeks ago.

As for Sunday, he added, "I have to forget about today . . . Got a nice, healthy cushion but have to just keep going." The 26-year-old Northern Ireland also noted he has a special place in his heart for Quail Hollow. "I've always loved this place. It feels like a second home."

Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open champion at The Olympic Club in San Francisco and a resident of Charlotte, posted a 68. After recording three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 15th, the 29-year-old Wake Forest grad and Quail Hollow member parred the 16th and 17th before finding the creek along the fairway at the par-4 18th, leading to a bogey on the last.

Afterward, Simpson said he was impressed by McIlroy, who had finished earlier. "What an incredible round he played. A 61; I'm four back. I have to go out and make birdies tomorrow and see what happens." The two will be paired in the final group.

First-round leader Robert Streb shot a 71 and is in solo third at 11-under 205, while another stroke back are Brendan Steele (68) and Tour rookie Patrick Rodgers (70).

Tied for sixth at 207 are Justin Thomas (65), Will MacKenzie (70) and Mexico's Carlos Ortiz (66). Another stroke back are Boo Weekley (67), Jim Herman (68), Chad Campbell (68), Scott Brown (69) and Phil Mickelson (71).

Mickelson had five birdies and a bogey through 17 holes, but the 44-year-old triple-bogeyed the 18th to fall down the leaderboard into a tie for ninth at 208.

The 54-hole cut was established at even-par 216, with eight players dropped from the field.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html. ;