Strafan, Ireland – Rory McIlroy bogeyed two of his last three holes, fading to 1 under 71 in the first round of the Irish Open on Thursday’s latest homecoming.
Attracting the biggest gallery of the day at K Club, World No. 2 was about to sharpen the game a few weeks after Beth Page Black’s Rider Cup.
McIlroy said he was encouraged by how he played – starting with No. 10, then birdies on four of his first nine holes – performed “better than what the score reflects.” His finish hurt him the most, missing the green on the 7th and 8th, and not getting up and down for par.
“The game feels pretty good,” McIlroy said.
McIlroy, who was in Northern Ireland in July at the opening of the Royal Portrush, was five strokes from the clubhouse lead held by Nacho Elvira, Solbjorn Olesen and Roman Langasque.
They were one shot before Bernd Wiesberger, Daniel Brown and Adrien Saddier.
Another member of the European Ryder Cup team, Ireland’s Shane Rawley played in front of the crowd at home, filming three of the three of the last six holes.