Wells Fargo: McIlroy, Dahmen Share Day One Lead

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Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy watches his tee shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club on May 2, 2019 in Charlotte, NC. Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

Rory McIlroy and Joel Dahmen opened with 5-under 66s and share the first-round lead at the Wells Fargo Championship.

McIlroy, who turns 30 on Saturday, offset one bogey with six birdies, while Dahmen signed for a clean card comprised of five birdies.

The superstar Northern Irishman entered Charlotte, North Carolina in superb form with seven top 10s – including a win at the PLAYERS – in just eight starts this year.

In addition to two wins at this event,McIlroy has four top-10s and just one missed cut.

“Yeah, it is, it’s a fun golf course. It’s a golf course that I feel very comfortable on. I’ve got some great memories here. You know, it went through different iterations since we started coming here, but every time they tweak something here or there, you know, it’s still sort of the same place and it really fits my eye,” said McIlroy, who has converted three of 13 career 18-hole leads into victory, the last one being the 2014 Open Championship when he opened with a 66.

“You know, every time I step onto this golf course, I feel like I have a chance to shoot a good score. I didn’t play my best today, I sort of managed my game well, scrambled well, but it added up to a good number at the end of the day.”

While not on the level of McIlroy, the 31-year old Dahmen has also been in fine form lately, posting four top-20s in his six most recent starts.

“Yeah, I’ve been playing well since THE PLAYERS, so I don’t know, that’s six or seven weeks probably,” said Dahmen. “It’s all with my putting. My putting comes and goes. Try to be more consistent at it and it’s been better.”

Adam Schenk, Martin Laird, Patrick Reed, Nick Taylor, and Dylan Frittelli were the lead chasers at 4-under par.

Top-5 Leaders

1. Rory McIlroy -5
1. Joel Dahmen -5
3. Adam Schenk -4
3. Martin Laird -4
3. Patrick Reed -4
3. Nick Taylor -4
3. Dylan Frittelli -4

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