Rory McIlroy has endured a poor first day in New Jersey at the Barclays Championship this afternoon. The Northern Irishman is searching for a fourth consecutive tournament victory this week but a three-over par 74 means the Open and USPGA champion faces an uphill battle to even make it to the weekend.

The day didn't get off to a terrible start for McIlroy, as he made birdie at the 5th and 9th holes but that merely sandwiched a bogey on 8 before a nightmare back 9 saw the Hollywood native bogey the 13th and 18th holes as well hitting a double-bogey at the 12th.

Considering McIlroy's present form, getting back in the frame at Ridgewood is a realistic possibility. The leaders currently stand at five-under par with Cameron Triangle, Hunter Mahan and Charles Howell III tied for the lead.

Graeme McDowell, meanwhile, is T17 at two-under par.