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Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong>Read more<\/p>\n Rory McIlroy<\/a> found the water on the final hole to finish five shots off the pace after day one of the BMW PGA Championship at a rain-hit Wentworth.<\/p>\n The world number two arrived in Surrey<\/a> fresh from winning his home open with a thrilling play-off victory over Joakim Lagergren at the K Club on Sunday.<\/p>\n And McIlroy started where he left off after he chipped in for an ominous birdie on the first hole at a tournament he won in 2014 before recording three runner-up finishes in his last five visits.<\/p>\n A second birdie followed for the Northern Irishman at the par-five fourth only to bogey the following par three.<\/p>\n But birdies on the 10th, 12th and 16th appeared to put him in a strong position for the remainder of the weekend as he stepped up his preparations for the Ryder Cup later this month.<\/p>\n However, McIlroy hit his approach at the concluding par-five 18th into the water and had to settle for a bogey and a three-under-par 69 as he completed his first round at 7:30pm and in near darkness after a rain delay \u2013 which lasted nearly an hour-and-a-half in the middle of the afternoon \u2013 disrupted the day\u2019s play.<\/p>\n Ten groups will have to complete their opening rounds on Friday morning.<\/p>\n Swede<\/a> Ludvig Aberg \u2013 a captain\u2019s pick for Europe\u2019s showdown with the United States in New York \u2013 and Frenchman Tom Vaillant share the overnight lead after they both shot eight-under-par 64s.<\/p>\n Aberg started his day with a bogey at the first hole, but then did not drop a shot, making four birdies on the front nine before ending his round with a hat-trick of birdies.<\/p>\n Vaillant dropped two shots at the fifth and ninth holes, but then struck six birdies in his concluding seven to see him tied at the top with Aberg.<\/p>\n South Africa\u2019s Casey Jarvis is on his own in third place following a seven-under 65.<\/p>\n England\u2019s Matt Fitzpatrick, another of Europe captain Luke Donald\u2019s six selections, is just two back after he carded a six-under 66 \u2013 despite a bogey at the last \u2013 while Justin Rose is a shot further adrift following a bogey-free 67.<\/p>\n Shane Lowry carded five birdies in his final seven holes to join Rose in the clubhouse on five-under par.<\/p>\n Former world number one Jon Rahm<\/a>, who played with McIlroy and Lowry, was among 11 of Europe\u2019s 12 players in action on Thursday.<\/p>\n