JOHANNESBURG — Rory McIlroy made an impressive start to 2017 with a new set of clubs, shooting a 5-under 67 in the first round at the SA Open today.

Making his first appearance at the tournament since 2008, McIlroy rolled in seven birdies — including four straight from Nos. 14-17 after starting at the 10th — to put himself a shot off the lead held by Trevor Fisher Jr. after the morning starters.

With Nike announcing last year it would no longer be making golf clubs and balls, the second-ranked McIlroy has been testing out new woods, irons and a putter from other manufacturers and said his new bag “is working pretty well.”

“I’m sure as I get accustomed to them — I mean, it’s nice to play my first competitive round and play like this — I’ll get even more dialed in, and chop and change a little bit,” McIlroy said.