Rory McIlroy insists his conscience is clear after rules disagreement with Jordan Spieth overshadows his exceptional opening round of 65 at the Players Championship | Only Sports And Health

Rory McIlroy insisted his conscience was clear after his exceptional start to the Players Championship was interrupted by a prolonged rules controversy with Jordan Spieth on Thursday.

The world No 2, so rusty in recent weeks, was substantially closer to his best in an opening round of 65 that gave him an early share of the clubhouse lead at Sawgrass.

However, his 10 birdies were overshadowed by controversy at the seventh hole – his 16th of the day – when he yanked a drive left into the water.

What followed was an eight-minute delay as McIlroy appeared to be in debate with Spieth, his playing partner, over the correct location for his drop.

Citing the claims of eye-witnesses, Spieth could be heard making the case that the ball had crossed the red hazard marker without bouncing, which would have sent McIlroy 250 yards back up the course to a spot in front of the tee box for his third shot.

The world No 2, so rusty in recent weeks, was substantially closer to his best in an opening round of 65

McIlroy’s playing partner for the opening round on Thursday was American Jordan Spieth (left)

On-course microphones picked up Spieth saying: ‘Everyone I’m hearing that had eyes on it – which is not what matters – is saying they are 100 per cent certain it landed below the red line. It’s what you guys think.’

That was quickly challenged by McIlroy’s caddie Harry Diamond: ‘Who is everybody, Jordan? Who are you talking about?’

With McIlroy convinced his ball had bounced before crossing the line, thereby permitting a drop in range of the green, he was cleared to proceed by rules officials and ultimately carded a double-bogey six. Television footage was inconclusive in proving where the ball pitched.

Having closed with a birdie for a seven-under-par finish, McIlroy said: ‘I think Jordan was just trying to make sure that I was doing the right thing. I was pretty sure that my ball had crossed where I was sort of dropping it.

‘If anything, I was being conservative with it. I think at the end of the day we’re all trying to protect ourselves, protect the field, as well. I wouldn’t say it was needless. I think he (Spieth) was just trying to make sure that what happened was the right thing.

‘I feel like I’m one of the most conscientious golfers out here, so if I feel like I’ve done something wrong, it’ll play on my conscience for the rest of the tournament. I’m a big believer in karma, and if you do something wrong, I feel like it’s going to come around and bite you at some point. I obviously don’t try to do anything wrong out there. I feel like I obviously did that.’

Spieth, with whom McIlroy has disagreed recently about the need for Saudi investment in golf’s civil war, ran through the media mixed zone after his round instead of stopping to offer his view. The third member of the group, Viktor Hovland, also declined interviews.

The Northern Irishman yanked a drive into the water on the seventh hole, leading to the prolonged delay

Xander Schauffele (pictured) has a share of the lead, with Ryder Cup phenomenon Ludvig Aberg two back

It was a peculiar saga on an otherwise impressive day for McIlroy, whose only blips were drives left into water at the 18th and seventh. Having spoken of his need to ‘wake up’ after finishing 21st last week at Bay Hill, he said: ‘It it’s probably been one of my best days in a while, which is really nice.

‘I didn’t have many expectations going out there today. There’s something to be said for that, just sort of lessening the expectations a little bit and going out there and seeing what happens. It was obviously a great start.’

McIlroy was joined in a share of the clubhouse lead by Xander Schauffele and US Open champion Wyndham Clark, with Matt Fitzpatrick one back at six under. Fitzpatrick recovered from one over through three by collecting seven strokes from the seventh, including an eagle at 16. World No 1 Scottie Scheffler opened with a 67.

Tommy Fleetwood reached five under after starting at the 10th, but could only close with a 70 after a triple-bogey seven on the seventh.