\n<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is in a share of 10th place on six under after an opening 69.<\/p>\n
He began the tournament on four under, but he made four birdies, as well as two bogeys, to complete his first round two shots better off.<\/p>\n
“I’m happy with how I hung in there and had a good finish,” McIlroy told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n
“When I saw Scottie had got to 14, I was like, ‘oh, got to try to just hang on to the coat-tails a little bit’.<\/p>\n
“I still feel like I’ve got a chance, and it was nice to finish the way I did.”<\/p>\n
Of the two Englishmen in the 30-man field, Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood is on two under after an opening 70, but Wolverhampton’s Aaron Rai, playing in this season-closing event for the first time after a fine run of form<\/a>, shot a five-under 66 to sit a shot behind McIlroy, tied for 14th.<\/p>\n Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for Friday’s second round.<\/p>\n There is no 36-hole cut for the tournament, while the winner after 72 holes will take home the FedEx Cup and a $25m (\u00a319m) prize.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n