The Open: Rory McIlroy still ‘right in the tournament’ after strong finish to opening round at Hoylake | Golf News

Rory McIlroy birdied two of his last five holes and made an impressive par-save on the 18th to finish level-par 71, five behind Tommy Fleetwood, Emiliano Grillo and Christo Lamprecht; Watch the second round live on Sky Sports Golf from 6.30am on Friday

Rory McIlroy was proud of a resilient performance after battling through a difficult start to stay within five shots of the lead after the opening round of the 151st Open.

McIlroy, looking for back-to-back wins after his impressive Genesis Scottish Open win on Sunday, was two over with five holes remaining in his round before a strong finish saw him shoot a level-par 71.

The world number two aimed to end a nine-year major drought at the venue since he last won The Open at Hoylake in 2014, including three birdies along with several bogeys to stay in touch with early leaders Tommy Fleetwood, Emiliano Grillo and amateur Christo Lamprech.

“I’m right in the golf tournament,” McIlroy told Sky Sports, “I have to go [on Friday] And shoot a score in the 60s, and I’ll be there for the weekend.

“I felt like I played really well, I missed a few putts on the front nine, but started hitting a little bit on the back nine, which was good to see. It was tough out there. [on Thursday] Afternoon, the wind was picking up a bit, felt like getting close to some of the pins.

“I thought anything in the 60s would be a good enough score. I didn’t quite get there but after bogeying a few holes in front there I could have let the round get away from me and I didn’t. Even a par is a solid start, I wouldn’t mind being a couple of points down but I’ll take it.”

What happened for McIlroy on day one?

McIlroy recovered from a wayward drive at the first to post a two-putt par and a superb approach to set up a close-range birdie at the next, only to bogey at the par-four fourth after failing to go up and down from a greenside bunker.

Rory McIlroy, playing world number three Jon Rahm, struggled to finish with a three-over 74.

The Northern Irishman failed to take advantage of the par-five fifth and was unable to make the most of birdie chances on the ninth, taking the turn at 36, however took advantage of a pitching escape into a bunker on the 11th for a par.

McIlroy missed a 10-footer to save par at the 12th bye, made amends with a 40-footer on the par-four 14th, then recovered from finding sand with his approach at the par-five 15th to come up and down for birdie.

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Rory McIlroy made a superb putt from 40 feet on the 14th to claim his second birdie in the opening round of The Open.

World No. 2 McIlroy produced a smart pitch to save par on the 16th and negotiated a troublesome par-three 17th with a two-putt par, then waited 15 minutes to play his second shot at the last.

McIlroy had no choice but to chip sideways and needed two tries to get out of the sand, however hitting an unexpected par by holed out from 10 feet deep and avoiding joining his teammates Jon Rahm and Justin Rose in an over par.

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After a stormy opening round, Rory McIlroy produced an excellent shot from a bunker on the 18th on his second attempt, saving par in the process as he finished with an under par 71.

Of the bunker escape, McElroy said: “It was really cool at the end. These bunkers are really tough, it feels like it’s hard to get into and you’re really face to face.

“I was really lucky because it could get into the deep part of my footprint and I could stay there all night. It was great to get five out and finish it off was a great effort.”

Catch the 151st Open live all week exclusively on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the second round begins on Friday at 6.30am on Sky Sports Golf. McIlroy’s group will be part of the Featured Group coverage, available via the red button on Sky Sports Golf and the Sky Sports app.