LIFE IS A RORYCOASTER

Rough ride for Mcllroy as driver goes haywire but battling star's dream of home success still alive

- CRAIG SWAN

RORY MCILROY insisted he was thrilled to be just three shots off the lead after his chaotic start to The Open.

The home hero felt the support of an entire country as he kicked off his bid for Royal Portrush glory.

McIlroy birdied four of his first 10 holes to go just one off the lead in front of a delirious Northern Irish crowd. But as he kept missing fairways with a series of wild drives, a major wobble threatened to crash his bid.

McIlroy salvaged the situation with a strong finish to end the day on one-under - just three strokes behind the five-way leadership group of Jacob Skov Olesen, Haotong Li, Matt Fitzpatrick, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Harris English.

And the world No.2 said: "I'm surprised four-under is leading. I thought someone might have gone out there and shot six or seven. Only three back with 54 holes to go, I'm really happy with where I am.

"I had it going threeunder through 10 and let a few slip there around the middle of the round.