Rory McIlroy opened the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai with a 68.
Getty Images/Andrew Redington
Rory McIlroy shot an opening round of 4-under 68 in the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, a feat made all the more impressive given his struggles earlier in the week with food poisoning.
The 25-year-old missed the Wednesday pro-am as a result but felt well enough to play Thursday at Sheshan International GC. Apparently, he’s been having a difficult time keeping food down.
McIlroy had the following to say about his round and current form:
"Probably a little better than I was expecting out there to be honest. The one thing, when I was hitting balls this morning on the range, I mean, I had not been out of bed for basically 48 hours, so I was really stiff. Like I was really, really stiff.
"I’ve lost 10 pounds since being here. I can’t remember the last time I was this light. But hopefully a couple of good meals over the next couple days and rehydrate and I’ll be feeling a lot better.”
On Tuesday, McIlroy revealed that he was sick after eating what appears to be the Chinese version of a club sandwich.
Who would have thought the eel would be the safer bet!? Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow pic.twitter.com/K5vuGHbq5C
— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) November 3, 2015
If McIlroy's opening 68 is any indication, he's feeling much better though not yet 100 percent. He added Thursday, "[I'm] looking forward to a good dinner tonight but hopefully it will stay inside my body."