Rory McIlroy holds a number of high-profile accolades alongside Jack Nicklaus but hopes this week to finally share a space with the game’s greatest off a first Memorial Tournament win at the 14th attempt.

The Muirfield Village event hosted by 18-time major champion Nicklaus is one McIlroy accepted as a course “I haven’t quite figured it out yet” before his Thursday tee-off for a first round.

He finished settling for one-under-par 71 in Ohio having dropped a shot at the last and earlier water woes on the third.

His sixth regular PGA Tour event of the year featured that double bogey on the third and a wayward tee shot on the 18th then miss off a seven-foot putt to save par.

placeholder image — Rory McIlroy during his first round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

A run of three consecutive birdies delivered the high point before the turn and he produced a fine recovery to rescue par on the 13th after his hooked tee shot, gaining another stroke on the 14th.

“I felt like I played pretty well, for the most part, especially after making that double (bogey) on the third hole, to play the rest of the round in three under was good,” McIlroy said in his post-round interview, as reported by PA Sport. “It is a tough course, you have to concentrate on every shot. The greens are very firm already, very fast, (you) get yourself above the hole, it is very tricky.

“I felt like I did well again. I would like to hit a few more fairways, give myself a few more chances from the short grass, but overall, not a bad score to build from.”

McIlroy will tee off at 6.35pm on Friday for his Memorial Tournament second round.

McIlroy, of course, has joined Nicklaus on the six-strong list of grand slam champions thanks to last year’s Masters triumph completing his career sweep of major wins.

Victory this year at Augusta put McIlroy beside Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo as having mounted a successful defence of the Masters green jacket.

Although naturally lacking the profile of a major, the Memorial Tournament will always be held in a certain esteem given Nicklaus’ involvement – with this year marking the 50th anniversary.

McIlroy highlighted the appeal ahead of a first round on Thursday: “Obviously, Jack being the host and everything else that comes along with this tournament...the golf course, the wonderful work they do for the local community here as well.

"So, yeah, it's a wonderful tournament...obviously a great list of champions on a wonderful golf course.

"I haven't quite figured it out yet...it's frustrated me over my career.

"But, hopefully, this is the week that I put it all together.

"So, yeah, excited for a good tournament here.

"I missed this one last year, it's good to be back…the course is as hard as ever, so looking forward to the challenge this week.”

Nicklaus discussed his pride in the reputation of the Memorial Tournament.

“I didn't want to be presumptuous here in calling this any more than a tournament because I felt like our goal was to be of service to the game of golf and to try to further the game, bring the game back to the place where I grew up, bring it back to the people here,” said the golf legend. "I think most of the players that have come here have really liked the golf course and really liked the condition...(also) the whole idea of making sure that the players are taken care of.”