McIlroy's Opening 72 Leaves Him With Work to Do
Rory McIlroy got his 154th Open Championship campaign off to a sluggish start with an opening round of 72 at Royal Birkdale on Thursday.
Highlights shared by Sky Sports showed the Northern Irishman battling to find his rhythm on a day when the famous links course demanded patience and precision.
After an encouraging start, McIlroy's round unraveled slightly around the turn, leaving him well adrift of the early leaders as he seeks a first Claret Jug since 2014.
Missed Opportunities
The 37-year-old, who won this title at Royal Liverpool, struggled to convert birdie chances and made costly bogeys that derailed his momentum. The round was a tale of what might have been, with several putts sliding by the hole.
“It was a sluggish start, and I never really got going,” McIlroy admitted after the round.
With the course firm and fast, the scoring was low for many in the field, making McIlroy's even-par 72 feel like a missed opportunity.
