Late charge gives McIlroy early lead in Shanghai

October 28, 2011

U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy shot an 8-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead in the Shanghai Masters, the lucrative invitational tournament that isnt sanctioned by any of the major tours.

The 22-year in his bogey-free round on Lake Malarens Jack Nicklaus-designed Masters course.

“If I can play as solid for the next three days as I did today, I feel as if Ill be very difficult to beat,” McIlroy said.

The 30 players are vying for the $2 million first prize, the richest in golf. All the top players are getting appearance money, and last place pays $25,000. Because the International Management Group-run event isnt sanctioned by a major tour, it doesnt have world-ranking points.

American Hunter Mahan was second. He had seven birdies, including three in a row on the back nine, then settled for a par in the 18th hole when his birdie try glanced off the lip of the cup.

“You have to go out there and try to make as many birdies as you can,” said Mahan, whose playoff loss to Bill Haas last month in the Tour Championship cost him nearly $10 million.

“A lot of great players are here, so you cant take your foot off the pedal. Youve got to be aggressive. The cours [there are] good length holes. But its still challenging in a lot of areas, so you have to be cautious on a few shots.”

Mahan said the $2 million payout was only one of the reasons he decided to play in the tournament before competing next week in the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions at nearby Sheshan International.

“Theyre building golf courses daily here. This is a place you want to market yourself,” Mahan said. “No question this is one of those events I think is going to grow through time and get bigger and bigger and Im excited to be at the beginning part of it.”

Englands Paul Casey and Ian Poulter and Irelands Padraig Harrington opened with 67s, and American Anthony Kim was another stroke back along with Chinas Li Chao.

John Daly was in the group at 69 along with Lee Westwood, Retief Goosen, Y.E. Yang and Robert Karlsson.

“With a small field like we have here, and I think I may get in trouble for saying this, but Im kind of glad its not sanctioned by the European or PGA Tour,” Daly said. “It shows that China is doing something on their own. Theyre saying, Hey, we may not need the PGA Tour or European Tour, no disrespect.”

Masters champion Charl Schwartzel had a 70, and PGA winner Keegan Bradley had a 72.

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