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Rory McIlroy to stay in attack mode after opening 65 at Northern Trust

World No 3 bounces back from early mistake to get within three of the early lead in New Jersey

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Highlights of Rory McIlroy's opening round of the FedExCup Play-Offs as he carded an impressive six-under 65 on day one of The Northern Trust in New Jersey

Rory McIlroy vowed to continue his aggressive approach to tackling Liberty National after he opened The Northern Trust with a high-quality six-under 65.

McIlroy bounced back from a bogey at his first hole to card an eagle and five birdies in ideal scoring conditions in New Jersey, although he remained three strokes adrift of early leader Troy Merritt.

Rory McIlroy
Image: McIlroy bogeyed his first hole but hit back with five birdies and an eagle

The 30-year-old was outplayed by Brooks Koepka in the final round of the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational a fortnight ago, but he got the better of his playing partner on the first day of the FedExCup Play-Offs as the world No 1 mixed three birdies with two bogeys in a disappointing 70.

McIlroy under-hit his approach to the 10th and would go on to miss a six-foot putt for par, but he atoned at the 12th before drilling a bold second to 15 feet at the long 13th and nailing the putt for eagle before he drove the green at 16 to set-up a two-putt birdie.

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Rory McIlroy was delighted with his opening 65 at The Northern Trust as he looks to bounce back from his disappointing finish in Memphis.

He was on target from just outside 20 feet at the first before converting another chance at the second and, after his fifth birdie of the round at the sixth, McIlroy parred home to stay in good shape at six under par.

"I didn't get off to a great start this morning and bogeyed my first hole, but I played really well after that," said world No 3 McIlroy, who is bidding for his third victory of the year. "I saw some better iron shots than I did in Memphis, and I drove it just as good and putted nicely.

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"It's so soft out there, so you need to shoot low scores this week to have a chance. Obviously, I'm still three shots behind the lead at this point and there are some pretty good players that have shot good scores, so just going to try to have to keep the foot down.

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Rory McIlroy
Image: McIlroy was five shots better than playing-partner Brooks Koepka

"There's not much rough out there, so it's sort of 'bombs away' with the driver and try to get it up as far as you can and go from there. It's definitely a golf course that you're going to have to keep being aggressive this week

"The par-fives are all reachable, and there are a couple of shorter par-fours and if you take care of your business on those gettable holes, it's hard to get yourself really out of position or short-side yourself that you're struggling for pars."

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