The Loop

Rory McIlroy's return to the PGA Tour gets off to a good start at Riviera

February 18, 2016

Rory McIlroy made his 2016 PGA Tour debut on Thursday, which also happened to be his first time playing historic Riviera. Not that anyone could tell. McIlroy fired a four-under-par 67 to place himself near the lead of those playing in the early wave of the first round. And thanks to the PGA Tour, we can take a look at some of the World No. 2's highlights.

Here, Rory birdies Riviera's famed No. 10, his first hole of the day:

Then on No. 11, McIlroy showed off his fairway wood game:

McIlroy nearly holed that 73-foot eagle putt before tapping in for birdie. And this was all he had left for birdie on No. 7, his 16th hole of the day:

And aside from his putting, it's good to see his tour sauce game is in mid-season form:

Bubba Watson and Chez Reavie currently share the lead at five under.