WATCH – Frustrated Rory McIlroy snaps club at Zozo Championship

Rory McIlroy finished the first round of the Zozo Championship with one club fewer than he started after a fit of pique prompted him to snap one of his irons.

On a low-scoring day at Sherwood Country Club in California, the world No.5 laboured to a disappointing 73 – nine shots off the early pace set by Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz.

A frustrating day for the Northern Irishman was compounded when his third shot at the 439-yard par-4 finishing hole came up short of the green. 

• Irish golf courses to close with immediate effect

• All courses in Wales ordered to close this week

• The best golf hoodies you can buy right now

Clearly having had enough for one, cameras caught McIlroy leaning on his club, causing it to buckle before he snapped it in two.

Watch the footage below…

The Northern Irishman ultimately finished with a double-bogey to wind up in a tie for 64th out of a starting field of 78. That was reduced to 77 when Gary Woodland withdrew after seven holes.

Tiger Woods had an even worse day, slipping to a four-over 76 – one shot off last place – whilst Phil Mickelson staged an impressive rally to finish level-par for the day. 

• Trump to build second course in Aberdeen

• This Masters video will give you goosebumps

The left-hander was four-over through six and, after getting a shot back at the ninth, handed it straight back at the tenth. However, four birdies in his last eight holes salvaged his round.

Munoz, meantime, leads by a shot from on-form Tyrrell Hatton and world No.3 Justin Thomas.