World No. 1 Rory McIlroy is struggling a bit at the start of his 2015 season, one in which expectations are at an all-time high. (There’s even been crazy talk of a Grand Slam.) So far, McIlroy has dealt with his (relative) troubles with class, dignity poise and — oh no, there we go, he just hit a ball into the pond and then chucked his iron about 40 yards into said pond. Never mind.

I’m not a club thrower myself, I run more toward muttered profanities, but as a frequent golfing partner of one, I can say that Rory is as world-class at throwing clubs as he is at using them to hit a little white ball.

McIlroy hit his next shot after taking a drop onto the green and salvaged a bogey with two putts. The bogey was his third in six holes and dropped him to even-par for the day and +1 for the tournament.

(AP)

He was 10 shots behind the leader at the time.

Following his opening 73 on Thursday – when he shot a 40 on the back nine – McIlroy talked about the increased scrutiny he is under. He said he expects it but it isn’t really a bother. Instead, he’s more concerned with not being able to take his game from the range – where he said he’s hitting the ball very well – onto the golf course.

Contributing: Steve DiMeglio from Doral, Fla.