Marc Warren off to a strong start

• Marc Warren enjoys fine opening round at Wentworth
• World No.1 Rory McIlroy makes solid start but got ‘angry’
• Andrew Johnston celebrates in style after hole-in-one

Scotland’s Marc Warren enjoyed a fine opening round at the BMW PGA Championship after a carding four-under par 68 to sit in a tie for third after day one at Wentworth.

The 34-year-old was on fire early on and raced to three-under after five holes, before another birdie at the eighth helped him reach the turn in 31, the lowest front nine of the day.

The back nine was less prosperous for the world No.57 though, with a dropped shot on the par-4 13th before a birdie at the last ensured a place alongside Jorge Campillo, Chris Wood, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Y.E. Yang on four-under, three shots behind leader Franceco Molinari.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy got off to a solid start with a one-under par round of 71, in what is the world No.1’s fourth tournament in as many weeks.

And the Northern Irishman – who will also be competing at the Irish Open at Royal County Down next week – seemed to be feeling weary out on the course during the first round.

McIlroy told reporters: “I could feel myself getting a little angry out there. Acceptance of bad shots is the thing I have been doing so well, and I feel like my patience was wearing a bit thin today.”

The four-time major winner is just outside the top 20 after day one and six shots behind leader Molinari, who carded a bogey-free 65 as he continues the fine form which saw him finish runner-up to James Morrison at the Spanish Open last week.

Elsewhere, Richie Ramsay is sitting alongside McIlroy on one-under, but it was a round to forget for Paul Lawrie who was seven-over for the day.

There were two hole-in-ones on the first day, including one from Scot Craig Lee, but it was Andrew Johnston’s at the par-3 tenth which was captured on camera, with the Englishman celebrating in style!

Marc Warren at the BMW PGA :: Your thoughts

Still a long way to go, but does Marc Warren have a realistic chance of winning at Wentworth? Leave your thoughts below.