Rory McIlroy struggles on day one of St Jude Championship after poor finish

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Rory McIlroy made a run of costly late bogeys as he slipped to a four-over par opening round at the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis.

The Northern Irishman had been aiming to rebuild some momentum heading into the PGA Tour Play-offs, following a run of disappointing results after his successful defence of his Masters title in April – which included tied for 40th at The Open at Royal Birkdale.

McIlroy, currently 12th in the FedExCup standings, was in a marquee pairing at TPC Southwind alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler on his return to the event he skipped last year.

Rory McIlroy found the water at the 18th (George Walker IV/AP) (AP)

A bogey on the par-five third was soon recovered with a birdie at the par-three fourth, before another dropped shot at the eighth saw him head into the turn at one-over.

McIlroy sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 11th, but a wayward tee shot off the 16th out to the right saw him make another bogey. His second at the 17th then bounced away past the green towards the stands, meaning a drop before eventually taking five.

There proved little relief on the 18th as McIlroy sent his tee shot into the water and then came up short in his approach, meaning a double bogey and a round of 74.

Scottie Scheffler made a solid start on his return to action in Memphis (George Walker IV/AP) (AP)

Scheffler, returning to action for the first time since finishing runner-up at the 3M Open, finished at two under, his only bogey coming on the 15th.

“I felt like I hit a lot of quality shots with my irons,” he said. “I did a good job of being patient and not trying to force it too much.

“I feel like I was right on the edge of having a good day, so I felt like patience-wise, I did a pretty good job.”

American duo Michael Thorbjornsen and Jordan Spieth set the early clubhouse lead at five under. England’s Tommy Fleetwood was a shot back after his 66, which included an eagle at the third.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, though, had an opening round to forget, finishing at 12 over with four double bogeys.