Masters champion Rory McIlroy had to settle for just a solitary birdie on the last hole of his return to action at the Truist Championship in North Carolina.

The Northern Irishman had not played since securing a second successive green jacket almost a month ago, opting to get back into the swing at Quail Hollow before heading to the US PGA on Monday for the year’s second major.

Following a rain delay McIlroy, who teed off on the 10th, admitted it had been something of a low-key opening round where chances to pick up shots proved at a premium before one finally dropped on the par-four ninth.

“I knew that I made so many pars, but I was thinking I can’t remember the last time I played a round of golf and didn’t have a birdie – I was like ‘just try to make one’,” said McIlroy, who signed for a 70.

“I felt like I didn’t make birdie at seven, didn’t make birdie at eight, so then I thought my chance had passed me by, but nice to see one putt go in there at the last.”

McIlroy, though, remains positive as he looks to make an impact through the weekend.

“I wasn’t frustrated, I was hitting good putts, some days they just don’t want to go in,” he said.

“I just needed to figure out the reads a little bit better, but sort of felt like I got into it by the end of the round.”

Matt McCarty is the clubhouse leader after his fine eight-under 63, one ahead of Sungjae Kim, who had one hole remaining when play was suspended.

Sepp Straka was also left with one hole to finish and was in a group on five under which included England’s Harry Hall.

Tommy Fleetwood and Alex Fitzpatrick are also in the mix at four under – although Matt Fitzpatrick had an opening round to forget as he slumped to a three-over 74.

“I felt like I played well. I played really solid, putted very well. Felt like I holed two or three really key putts,” Fleetwood said.

“It is not an easy golf course. It is an amazing challenge and I think if you shoot under par around here it is always a good day.”

Anthony Joshua hopes to tee up his long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury by delivering a statement performance against Kristian Prenga in July. Now, ‘The Gypsy King’ has confirmed whether he would like an additional fight before facing Joshua at the end of the year.

After Fury’s win against Arslanbek Makhmudov last month, talks progressed quickly for what had been one of the most elusive match-ups in British boxing history, but Joshua’s team maintained that he needed a ‘warm-up’ before that mammoth fight.

When it was revealed that an agreement for Fury-Joshua was finally in place, ‘AJ’s summer fight against Albania’s Kristian Prenga on July 25 was also announced.

Speaking to talkSPORT Boxing, promoter Frank Warren explained that Makhmudov was supposed to be Fury’s fight before the big one, but that Joshua’s tragic car crash pushed their plans back, with another interim fight for Fury now expected.

“Thatpushed his [Joshua’s] fight back, so they were really supposed to be fighting in August against each other, that has been pushed back.

“Come October/November, Tyson will have been out of the ring against for seven months so he will want to be fighting in-between. I have spoken with him and that is what he wants to do, so we will see.”

A low-risk opponent has to be anticipated considering what is at stake for 37-year-old Fury, but fans will hope that the two-time world champion selects a more recognisable opponent than Joshua, as he looks to build further momentum ahead of their grudge match.

Rory McIlroy posted a first round of 70 at the Truist Championship as he began his challenge to win at Quail Hollow for a fifth time.

The 37-year-old from Northern Ireland made 17 pars before his only birdie of a one-under round came at the 18th hole.

American Matt McCarty set the early pace with an eight-under-par 63 at the event in Charlotte.

England’s Harry Hall managed six birdies and one bogey as he ended the opening round with a five-under 66.

Compatriots Tommy Fleetwood, whose round included an eagle on the 10th, and Alex Fitzpatrick, fresh from securing tour membership, are on four under after 67s.

England’s Matt Wallace and Justin Rose both signed for level-par rounds of 71, while Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre was two over with one to play when play was halted late in the evening because of inclement weather.

The tournament is the last event before the US PGA Championship takes place at the Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania from 14-17 May.

Rishabh Pant in post-match presentation ceremony© BCCI/IPL

John Cena has officially confirmed that his announcement at WWE Backlash will change everything. The news has added to the rumors circulating about the star’s announcement.

John Cena confirms that a huge WWE announcement is coming at Backlash

John Cena has confirmed that the news he will announce at WWE Backlash will shake the very foundations of the company. The star has been teasing the announcement for some time, but has now confirmed that everything will change after he shares the news with fans at the event.

He said he was standing outside the arena where Backlash will take place, and that the announcement he would make there in just a few days will “shock the very foundations” of the company. He went on to say that it would not only affect fans but also everyone from the company’s champions to the rookies.

He demanded that fans not miss Backlash, saying he was very excited about it and would see everyone then.

“WWE Universe, John Cena here. Standing in Thunder Alley, outside Benchmark International Arena in Tampa Bay. In just a few days, I have a major announcement inside this building that will shock the very foundations of WWE. From the fans to its superstars, from the champions, down to its rookies, I am so grateful that Tampa is allowing me the place to make the announcement. Thank you, WWE, see it live on ESPN in the States and on Netflix around the world, but don’t miss Backlash. I’m so excited and I will see you then.”

Cena retired last year, and it was then promoted as his last-ever appearance. However, that has proven false since then, with the star hosting WrestleMania and now even announcing things on Backlash.

While he’s done wrestling, it seems the star isn’t going to be done with appearances in this new role for quite some time; he seems to be working for the company.