Masters champion Rory McIlroy had to settle for just a solitary birdie on the last hole of his return to action at the Truist Championship in North Carolina.

The Northern Irishman had not played since securing a second successive green jacket almost a month ago, opting to get back into the swing at Quail Hollow before heading to the US PGA on Monday for the year’s second major.

Following a rain delay McIlroy, who teed off on the 10th, admitted it had been something of a low-key opening round where chances to pick up shots proved at a premium before one finally dropped on the par-four ninth.

“I knew that I made so many pars, but I was thinking I can’t remember the last time I played a round of golf and didn’t have a birdie – I was like ‘just try to make one’,” said McIlroy, who signed for a 70.

“I felt like I didn’t make birdie at seven, didn’t make birdie at eight, so then I thought my chance had passed me by, but nice to see one putt go in there at the last.”

McIlroy, though, remains positive as he…