McIlroy battled his tee shots to the very end, and it was at the par-4 18th where his ability to escape shined. After his 3-wood tee shot traveled 298 yards into the right pine straw and trees, McIlroy punched a 5-iron through an opening, the approach finding the green seven feet from the hole. He then rolled in the birdie putt to close things out.

The world No. 2 hit just four fairways Thursday at TPC Sawgrass but by day's end found himself one shot off the early lead.