McIlroy Looks for Classic at Honda

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World number three Rory McIlroy believes he has made "good strides forward" before the Honda Classic in Florida, which starts on Thursday.

This season the Northern Irishman has come third in Abu Dhabi, sixth in Dubai and 20th in the Northern Trust Open.

"I feel like I am playing well, so it's going out there and doing it when it matters," he said.

He has been paired with holder Padraig Harrington and Open champion Zach Johnson for the first two rounds.

McIlroy, who has won four majors, won the tournament at PGA National in 2012 to become world number one for the first time.

But the following year he walked off the course, telling reporters he was in "a bad place mentally" and then issuing a statement citing severe toothache as the reason for withdrawing.

The 26-year-old lost in a play-off in 2014 and missed the cut last year.

"It's exciting to be back here," he said. "I've had some good performances here in the past and it's a bit of a home game for me this week, only living a couple of minutes down the road.

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Padraig Gives Olly 64 Stroke Headache

Padraig Harrington’s final bid to catch the eye of European Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal ahead of his wild card announcement got off to the perfect start with an opening seven under par 64 to take the early clubhouse lead in The Barclays.

Harrington cannot qualify for the team automatically, but Olazábal will undoubtedly be following his progress in New York ahead of naming his two wild cards to complete the 12-man team on Monday lunchtime. 

The Irishman has been an ever present in the team since his debut in 1999 but it is now down to Olazábal to decide whether he has done enough to earn a place on the European team heading to Medinah Country Club, Chicago, next month looking to retain The Ryder Cup.

Only Nicolas Colsaerts can force his way into the automatic places in the final qualifying event at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, needing a top two finish to overtake Martin Kaymer, and with Ian Poulter a favourite for one of the picks, the battle for a place is reaching fever pitch.

Harrington is some way down the list in 19th place but the three-time Major Champion would bring a wealth of experience to the team, if he can do enough to swing the wild card decision in his favour. And he threw down the gauntlet on the opening morning by coming home in 29 strokes at Bethpage Black to set the early clubhouse target.

Olazábal will also have been pleased with his Ryder Cup charges already in the team with Sergio Garcia, who sealed his place with his win in the Wyndham Championship earlier this week, continuing his impressive form, birdieing the last for a five under par 66, Luke Donald returning a three under par 68 and Lee Westwood a 69, with Rory McIlroy on the same mark playing the last.

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