McIlroy 'lethargic' in opening 73 in Hong Kong

• By Ryan Lavner
• Nov 15, 2012 8:17 AM ET

With the Race to Dubai title already wrapped up and only two events left on his 2012 schedule, it was little surprise to hear Rory McIlroy describe himself as “mentally lethargic” during the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open.

After shooting an opening-round, 3-over 73, the Northern Irishman currently sits 93th and is nine shots behind surprise leader Javier Colomo. He mustered only one birdie on the 6,734-yard Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

“I suppose after last week, and winning the Race to Dubai title, it was always going to be a bit of a letdown,” McIlroy told reporters. “I feel as though I am playing well enough, but I just need to get my head and the golf to match up and I’ll be OK.”

The 73 was McIlroy’s highest score in a regular European Tour event since the BMW Championship in May, when he shot 74-79 and missed the cut. (He also shot 75 in Round 2 of the PGA Championship, but went on to win by eight shots.)

In his past two starts, McIlroy was runner-up at the BMW Masters and solo third at The Barclays Singapore Open – finishes high enough to clinch the seasonlong Race to Dubai with two events remaining on the schedule.

“I just lacked a bit of energy out there,” he said. “I felt a bit lethargic and mentally more than physically, if I am being honest.”