Rory McIlroy said he is satisfied with a one-under par 71 in the first round of the Korean Open on Thursday.
Rory McIlroy: Three behind the leader
Local players dominated proceedings at the £625,000 tournament, with Korean Jang Ik-Jae taking the first round lead with a 67, while compatriots Yoon Jung-ho, Kang Sung-hoon, and Han Min-Kyu one stroke behind.
The two-time major winner is the highest-ranked player competing in the Asian Tour event, and shot four birdies during his round, but also carded a bogey and a double bogey.
"I felt I was a little rusty after the four weeks off, but I battled back nicely and to end up under par for the day wasn't too bad," McIlroy said.
"(On 13) I just wasn't very comfortable with the tee shot. I took a long time to get settled over it and then just didn't make a very good swing.
"It was tough, some of the pin positions out there today were brutal, just cut on slopes and very hard to get close to them and when you did get close to them you left yourself very tricky putts."
McIlroy is taking part in his first event since missing out on qualification for September's PGA Tour Championship, having dropped down to sixth on the world rankings after failing to win a trophy this year.
The 24-year-old was the runner-up in Korea two years ago, finishing behind Rickie Fowler.
golf365.com