Tiger Woods & Rory McIlroy fail to shine on day one at Genesis Open

McIlroy and Woods had one eagle, six birdies, seven bogeys and a double bogey between them

Former world number ones Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy made low-key starts to the Genesis Open at the Riviera Country Club in California.

Woods lost his ball and carded a double bogey at his second hole and, despite five birdies, returned a one-over 72.

Northern Irishman McIlroy holed from 27 feet for an eagle at his 10th and finished level, five behind American leaders Patrick Cantlay and Tony Finau.

Scotland's Martin Laird (68) is among 11 players on three under par.

McIlroy's fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell picked up three birdies in his first seven holes and is a shot further back on two under.

World number one Dustin Johnson finished three over par after a round that included a triple-bogey seven at the par-four fifth.

Woods and McIlroy were joined in an illustrious grouping by US PGA Championship and FedEx Cup winner Justin Thomas and all three birdied their first hole of the morning, having started at the 10th.

McIlroy's birdie came by an unlikely route. Having gone through the green into a bunker, he holed from the sand for a three - but he then dropped shots at the next two holes, before rescuing his round with a majestic three at the 503-yard first hole.

Woods, yet to win at the Riviera and without a title since 2013, was wayward with the driver in the early stages at the narrow, tree-lined course and he also hit the trees at his third hole.

The 42-year-old, now ranked 550 in the world, finished the day having hit eight of 14 fairways, seven of 18 greens in regulation and needing 25 putts.

Thomas was the pick of the marquee three-ball, with five birdies in a round of 69.

Crowd favourite Phil Mickelson had a typically eventful round, mixing four birdies and three bogeys in a 71, rolling a birdie chance around the cup which inexplicably remained on the edge, despite half the ball appearing to be below the lip of the hole.

Former world number one Luke Donald, the 40-year-old without a win since 2013 and now ranked 177, returned a level-par round despite two double bogeys.