Rory-Tiger pairing dazzles Crooked Stick crowd

• By Jay Coffin
• Sep 6, 2012 5:39 PM ET

CARMEL, Ind. – Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy delivered an epic performance for an Indiana crowd that’s waited 21 years for big-time men’s golf to return to town.

In a matchup featuring the game’s two biggest stars, Woods and McIlroy combined for 16 birdies, an eagle and only three bogeys during the first round of the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick.

McIlroy shot 8-under 64 and is tied for the lead with Webb Simpson, Bo Van Pelt and Graham DeLaet. Woods shot 65 and was in fifth place, tied with Vijay Singh.

“With soft conditions you could really shoot a number out there,” McIlroy said. “I took advantage of hitting the ball really well, hitting it in the fairway, and also hitting it long. Great start to the tournament.”

Woods jumped out to a hot start and made birdie on the first two holes. He made three more birdies and a bogey to turn at 4 under.

The most memorable shot of Woods’ round came on a hole that ended in par. On the par-3, 200-yard sixth hole Woods hit the hole and nearly made an ace. He failed to convert the short birdie putt and ended up making 3. He closed with a birdie on the par-5 ninth hole (his last of the day) when he chipped in from just off the green.

Woods ended with nine birdies and two bogeys.

“I didn't swing the club well,” Woods said. “I didn't feel like I had the club in the right spot. I warmed up terribly this morning. I just didn't quite have it, but I scored well.”

Simpson made a charge with four consecutive birdies on Nos. 14-17. Van Pelt made eight birdies in a bogey-free round, and DeLaet eagled the final hole to claim a share of the lead.