Magical McIlroy is king of the mountains in Switzerland

9/5/2008

Teenager Rory McIlroy shot the lowest round of his professional career to lead the Omega European Masters on eight under par in Switzerland.

The brilliant round of 63 beat by three the 19 year old's previous best on The European Tour - he switched to the paid ranks almost a year ago - but for him to take it in his stride was not entirely surprising.

In his amateur days McIlroy shot an incredible 61 at Royal Portrush.
It was also three outside the lowest ever seen at Crans-sur-Sierre, perched 4,500 feet up in the Alps.

Four birdies in the last five holes of the back nine enabled McIlroy to turn in 31, he started the outward half with another and then had three more in a row from the fifth.

The trio in second place all have a chance now to secure their cards for next season.

Houston, who saved his card when he was fourth in the event three years ago, lies 132nd, Sullivan 159th and Zapata 180th. Only the leading 115 are exempt for 2009.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, the only member of Faldo's side taking part, reached six under with three to play, but bogeyed them all and had to sign for a three under 68.

Elsewhere, Brett Rumford, last year’s winner in a sudden death play-off, is four under par alongside Peter Lawrie, Emanuele Canonica, Ross McGowan, Gary Orr, François Delamontagne, Alejandro Cañizares and Mikko Ilonen.

Leaderboard – Round 1:

1. Rory McIlroy                    NIR  63 - 8
2. Garry Houston                WAL  66 - 5
    Kyron Sullivan                WAL  66 - 5
    Julio Zapata                   ARG  66 - 5
5. Mikko Ilonen                   FIN  67 - 4
    Francois Delamontagne    FRA  67 - 4
    Emanuele Canonica         ITA  67 - 4
    Gary Orr                        SCO  67 - 4
    Ross McGowan                ENG  67 - 4
    Brett Rumford                AUS  67 - 4
    Peter Lawrie                    IRL  67 - 4
    Alejandro Caňzares         ESP  67 - 4

Source: European Tour