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Former world number one Thomas, sporting a pair of tartan trousers, said a sub-60 round had been in his thoughts after he covered the first 13 holes in eight under.<\/p>\n
The American, who was among the later starters, drained a 13-foot putt for an opening birdie then reeled off four in a row from the fifth to reach the turn in 30.<\/p>\n
Three more birdies – including a 42-foot putt on the par-three 12th – followed in the next four holes before the run dried up just as he was eyeing a 59.<\/p>\n
“Honestly, I thought the par was 71 and then I looked up and saw even-par 70 and I was like, ‘I just need a couple more [birdies] and I can shoot 59,'” Thomas said.<\/p>\n
“Then, shocking, I made five pars in a row.<\/p>\n
“I definitely wanted a 59 and was even thinking a couple lower, so we all know how that works out when you get ahead of yourself.”<\/p>\n
Earlier, McIlroy, starting on the 10th, began with a birdie but immediately dropped a shot after twice finding heavy rough.<\/p>\n
Bogeys on 14 and 16 bookended a birdie in an untidy front nine for the world number two in which he hit only three of six fairways.<\/p>\n
But he came alive after the turn, with a birdie on the first followed by a delightful chip-in eagle from the right-hand side of the par-five third.<\/p>\n
He picked up another shot at the next and chances for further birdies from inside 11 feet slipped by on five, six and nine.<\/p>\n
“Obviously the last time I played, I played well. I didn’t get the result I wanted but I’ve still got a lot of confidence in my game,” said McIlroy.<\/p>\n
“I shot a solid score today. I gave myself plenty of chances on that back nine and actually felt like I left a couple out there as well.<\/p>\n
“It was as gettable as you’re going to get this golf course. Hopefully no more rain over the next few days and the wind can get up a bit and the course can start to play a little bit tougher.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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