McIlroy Makes Awful Start To Irish Open

Rory McIlroy shot a 9-over par round of 80 as the world number one struggled on the first day of the Irish Open. It was a tough day for many of the stars with poor rounds for Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia too. 

McIlroy with the Rory Foundation hosting this years Irish Open found himself struggling early, dropping five shots in his opening nine holes with it not getting much better on the back nine as he dropped a further four shots at the Royal County Down Golf Course. McIlroy looks likely to miss the cut for the third straight year and along with many other Ryder Cup stars are struggling in testing conditions.

Clubhouse leaders are Englishman Danny Willett, Argentina’s Emilliano Grillo and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen on 2-under par, though out on the course still, Frenchman Alexander Levy is 4-under par.

With low scores at a premium, Germany’s Ryder Cup star and major winner Martin Kaymer shot an 8-over par 79 and will also have his work cut out to make the weekend but American rising star Rickie Fowler shot a level par 71, which placed him comfortably inside the top 20.

Luke Donald looking to regain some previous seasons form, shot a 1-under par 70, but Lee Westwood shot a 3-over par 74 and after 13 holes Spanish star Sergio Garcia was 5-over par.

With many of the world’s best players struggling, it could open the door for a new star to make his name with Willett alongside other youngsters such as Tommy Fleetwood and Chris Wood, hoping to earn the win at the Irish Open.