McIlroy regains ground after poor start at Portrush

Rory McIlroy looked like delivering the show the thousands who had flocked to Royal Portrush to cheer their returning hero expected, only for his bid for the first-round Open lead to collapse in the space of four holes on the back nine.

- CARL MARKHAM

The Northern Irishman from an hour down the road in Holywood rarely comes to these parts due to commitments on the PGA Tour and on his last competitive visit in 2019 went home early after missing the cut.

But, after teeing off at 3.10pm with a four-under-par target in his sights, he recovered from a bogey at the first — a three-shot improvement on six years ago when he went out of bounds - to have a crowd 10 deep in places buzzing in anticipation.

The 61 he shot as a 16-year-old on this course was never on the cards, but three under through 10, having hit just two fairways, raised the prospect of a memorable first day.

But over the course of the next four holes that waywardness off the tee took its toll with three bogeys, including one at the course’s easiest hole, the par-five 11th, and only a 12-foot par save at the 15th prevented further damage.

There was a much-needed birdie from similar distance at the penultimate hole, having again gone left off the tee, and even though his 44-footer for a 69 grazed the cup at the 18th, the fans went home happy, with their man just three off the pace.