JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Rory McIlroy made an impressive start to 2017 with a new set of clubs, shooting a 5-under 67 in the first round at the SA Open on Thursday.
Making his first appearance at the tournament since 2008, McIlroy rolled in seven birdies - including four straight from Nos. 14-17 after starting at the 10th - to put himself a shot off the lead held by Trevor Fisher Jr. after the morning starters.
With Nike announcing last year it would no longer be making golf clubs and balls, the second-ranked McIlroy has been testing out new woods, irons and a putter from other manufacturers and said his new bag ''is working pretty well.