Rory McIlroy admitted it was "weird" playing his first event without long-time caddie JP Fitzgerald but was happy with a three under par 67 in the opening round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
The Northern Irishman parted company with Fitzgerald recently after nine years and 13 European Tour titles - four of which were Major Championships - with best friend Harry Diamond taking over the bag this week and for the US PGA Championship.
McIlroy admitted coming into this week that he had ended his professional relationship with Fitzgerald to preserve a personal one, and he was glad to be making decisions himself at Firestone Country Club as he had no-one else to blame.
"It was a little weird at the start," he said. "Obviously it's been nine years since I've had anyone else on my bag, so even just hearing a different voice, it's a little different.
"But I thought we did well out there, consulted each other when we needed to. I did all my own stuff when I felt like I was good and then whatever decisions I made, whether they were good or bad, it was on me. I didn't have anyone to get frustrated at other than myself so, yeah, it went well out there.
"I think just being cognisant of where I'm hitting certain shots and where they're finishing, if you can just get into that shot a little bit more, you might be a little more committed to hitting that shot.
"I haven't written anything in a yardage book for a long time so it was good to get back to that and good to just take ownership of it a little bit more."
McIlroy's driving was stunning on Thursday, averaging nine yards further than anyone else in the field, while he also had his second best putting round ever at this event in terms of strokes gained.
"I got off to a good start here," he said. "Go out and hopefully see little improvements as the week goes on, hopefully tomorrow. I drove the ball great today, hopefully I can drive it similar again tomorrow.
"Maybe my wedge play can get a little bit sharper as the week goes on. I feel if I do that, taking the result out of it - obviously I would love to win - I would love to go into next week with a lot of confidence.
"I feel like my confidence is building. Just see my game just get a little bit sharper, especially the wedges."
