MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Rory McIlroy had one of those rounds at Royal Melbourne on Thursday that fans of the gothic horror story Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde would love.

McIlroy, whose pre-tournament news conference included comments that Royal Melbourne was not the best sandbelt course in the city, had a wild round of six bogeys and five birdies around the composite course and shot a 1-over 72.

A case of the famed sandbelt course, which has hosted three Presidents Cup tournaments, biting back? The swirling winds — including gusts of up to 60 kilometers an hour (38 mph) — were certainly a factor.

“It was a roller coaster day,” McIlroy said. “Every time I got a birdie or two I got a bogey or two.

“It wasn't terrible. I hit it in a couple of bad spots and had a couple of three-putts as

See Full Page