STRAFFAN, Ireland – Rory McIlroy had a complicated finish in the first round of the Irish Open, with two bogeys in the last three holes, finishing with a score of 71 strokes, one under par. The world number two, who drew the biggest crowds at The K Club, was looking to fine-tune his game a few weeks before the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where the Northern Irishman is expected to once again be a key player for Europe.
McIlroy, who birdied four of his first nine holes after starting on the 10th hole, felt his performance was “better than the score reflects.” The finish hurt him, missing the green on holes 7 and 8 and failing to make par.I feel encouraged by how I played.
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy, who was in Northern Ireland in July for the Open at Royal Portrush, was five strokes off the lead at the club, shared by Nacho Elvira, Thorbjørn Olesen and Romain Langasque. These last ones were ahead by one stroke of Bernd Wiesberger, Daniel Brown and Adrien Saddier. Shane Lowry, also a member of the European Ryder Cup team, played in front of his home crowd and made birdies on three of his last six holes to finish with 69 strokes.The game feels pretty good. It’s just a matter of being more efficient with the scoring.
Rory McIlroy
