SHANGHAI: Former world number one Rory McIlroy shook off a bout of food poisoning to shoot a four-under par 68 in the first round of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Thursday.
McIlroy, who had been in bed for most of the past two days, said the illness had caused him to lose 10 pounds in weight (4.5kg), but he still managed to rattle in six birdies.
A double bogey at the tough par-four 15th was the only blemish on his card at Sheshan Golf Club.
"I've lost 10 pounds since being here. I can't remember the last time I was this light," McIlroy said after his round. "Looking forward to a good dinner tonight -- hopefully it will stay inside my body."
It left the Northern Irish four-time major champion five shots behind leader Branden Grace of South Africa who carded a 63 in windless, soft conditions that saw a raft of low-scoring as 59 of the 78-man field went under par.
"It's probably a little better than I was expecting out there to be honest," said McIlroy.
"But one of the hardest things was I had been in bed for basically two days, so whenever I got on to the (practice) range, I was stiff, really, really stiff.
"So I had to loosen up quite well. I still feel a little stiff actually."
World number two Jordan Spieth matched McIlroy's 68 as did 13 other players in the world-class field including former major champions Bubba Watson, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.
Masters and US Open champion Spieth was pleased to shake off some rust, having not played competitive golf since the Presidents Cup a month ago.
"I hit some shots that looked like we were just continuing the end of the season and I hit some that looked like I took some time off," he said. "It was a bit of both."
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