World number one Rory McIlroy admitted he was struggling with a cold on Friday after completing his rain-interrupted first round five strokes off the pace at the co-sanctioned Singapore Open.
The Northern Irishman, who can wrap up the European money title at par-71 Sentosa Golf Club, finished his last 10 holes at one-under-par 70 and with work to do after a thunderstorm cut short Thursday’s play.
Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat led on six-under-par 65 on the demanding course, one better than Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, with Simon Khan, Pablo Martin and Chinnarat Phadungsil a stroke further back.
England’s Paul Casey was three adrift on 68 alongside Kwanchai Tannin, Jaco Van Zyl and Y.E. Yang, Asia’s first Major winner.
An audacious eagle attempt at the last hole nearly slashed McIlroy’s deficit but after chipping out of a greenside bunker, the ball popped out of the cup and ran 10 feet long, and he two-putted for par.
McIlroy said he was not feeling “100 per cent” despite taking time off during last week’s WGC-HSBC Champions to watch his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki play tennis – a move which drew strong criticism.
“I’m struggling a bit with a cold or a sinus infection at the moment, so I’m not feeling 100 per cent,” said McIlroy, who is accompanied by Wozniacki in Singapore.
“The energy levels are fine, and maybe it’s a good thing that the temperature and humidity is so high, because I might be able to sweat it out.”
And McIlroy, who is facing a long day in the tropical heat, with 28 holes to play if the rain holds off, admitted he was already looking forward to having a rest.
“I actually played pretty well from tee to green, just didn’t really hole any putts, which was a bit frustrating. So that was the story of the round really.”
McIlroy is bidding to become just the second man to win the PGA and European Tour money titles in the same season, after Luke Donald achieved the feat last year.
Chapchai also came close to an eagle on the last hole but pushed his putt just wide – however, his birdie was still enough for the outright lead.
Play got under way immediately for round two, as clouds overhead threatened further interruptions in a tournament notorious for storm delays.
