Love is all aces at the Honda Classic - Leads by one

Davis Love III is the 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, though he looked more like he wants to be a player than just a captain after his first round at the Honda Classic.

The 47-year old began his opening round in Pal Beach Gardens, Florida, opening with four straight pars.

He then promptly went to two-under after jarring his tee shot on the par-three, fifth for an ace.

Not a bad way to quickly get to two-under in a tournament.

Love would go on to card five more birdies; including three in a row, from No. 7 through No. 9. On his way to tying the course record at PGA National with a six-under, 64.

“If I had not birdied the last two holes, it still would have been a good start,” said Love after his round. “It’s fun to tie the course record. And it’s fun to shoot low scores.”

“I knew when we were on the range this morning that early scores were going to be better, and you’d better get off to a good start,” Love continued.

“I was parring along there, had not made a birdie yet then all of a sudden was 2 under. So that was a big boost.”

Love takes his two shot lead into Friday's round over a group of seven golfers at four-under. This group includes Rory McIlroy.

With a chance once again to become the world's No. 1 ranked player, McIlroy opened his tournament up with a four-under, 66.

Starting on the back-nine, the 22-year old made his way through the traitorous 'Bear Trap' and went out in 32.

His only slip up on the day was the bogey he carded at the par-four, eighth.

“It was pretty stress-free out there,” said McIlroy.

“I hit quite a few fairways and a lot of greens and gave myself a lot of chances, and that’s sort of what you need to do around this golf course.”

The Northern Irishman has begun his year off, right where he needed to.

McIlory is pretty much in contention where ever he has been teeing it up so far in 2012. This week is especially important.

After the Honda Classic, he will only play two more times before heading back to Augusta for The Masters.

And perhaps, a shot at redemption.