Rory McIlroy didn't panic and bounced back from being four over after just three holes to open with a level par 71 in the second FedExCup playoff event in Boston, the Deutsche Bank Championship.

The former world No 1, who is 38th in the FedExCup standings with only the top 70 making the BMW Championship before just 30 battle it out in the season-ending Tour Championship for the $10m bonus.

As new dad Graeme McDowell — his wife gave birth to the couple's second child, Wills Edson McDowell, on Monday — signed for a three over 74, McIlroy was getting his share of the spotlight.

With his putting under the miscroscope since he announced he was teaming up with Phil Kenyon to prepare himself for the challenge of the Masters Tournament next April, the 27-year old from Co Down start by holing a nice four footer for par at the 10th, then three putted the par-three 11th from 36 feet.

He missed a three footer for par there but that was only a minor error compared to the triple bogey seen he racked up at the 12th after driving into trouble on the right.

At four over par, his day looked black but he played the remaining holes in four under, picking up birdies at the 13th, par-five 18th, the first and the par-five seventh to end the day tied for 67th.

At level par, he's six strokes behind James Hahn and Ryan Moore who shot six under 65s to led by one from Paul Casey, Fabian Gomez, Brian Stuard and Jonathan Vegas.

McDowell, who was one of the players disappointed not to receive a Ryder Cuo wildcard from Darren Clarke on Tuesday, had 32 putts in a 74 featuring three birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey six.

As for the FedExCup leaders, it was generally good day for all bar the Ryder Cup reject Russell Knox.

Patrick Reed (68) Jason Day (70), Dustin Johnson (68), Adam Scott (67), Jordan Spieth (68), Emiliano Grillo (67) started well but Knox, struggled with a lingering illness and made five bogeys in a 73.

No doubt he's still sick inside after Clarke overlooked his two-win season in favour of the hot hand of Belgian Thomas Pieters.

“It has been difficult,” Knox said. “Obviously, I was very disappointed to get the call telling me I wasn’t on the team. It was a very short call. But at the same time, I’ve got to respect the decision-making process of Darren and his team.”

Meadow shows form on LPGA Tour

Stephanie Meadow is building up a head of steam after her Olympic Games finish and top 10 in the Canadian Women's Open last week.

On Friday in the $1.6m Manulife LPGA Classic in Ontario, she added a two under 70 to her opening 73 to make the cut on the mark and boost her chances of winning her full tour card.

Meadow made seven birdies and six bogeys in an up-and-down round to move up to tied 55th at Whistle Bear Golf Club. Scores

The popular Jordanstown native is 114th in the money list with $54,692 thanks to her top 10 last week and a cheque for $41,466.

A place in the top 125 is her goal after after finishing tied 31st in Rio before contending for the Canadian Pacific Women's Open, her tail is up.