JOHANNESBURG, Jan 12 (Reuters) - World number two Rory McIlroy marvelled at his long hitting off the tee after producing a fine five-under-par 67 to finish one shot behind leaders Trevor Fisher Junior and Keith Horne after the first round of the South African Open on Thursday.
McIlroy carded seven birdies and two bogies at the Glendower Golf Club in his first European Tour event of the year, so honouring a promise to tournament host Ernie Els to play in the second-oldest national open in the world.
The Northern Irishman was one of five players to record an opening 67, along with locals Thomas Aiken, Jbe Kruger and Dean Burmester, and England's Jordan Smith.