Rory McIlroy’s early success at the Amgen Irish Open was overshadowed by late bogeys that cost him five strokes. Despite a 1-under 71 at The K Club, McIlroy struggled with back-to-back bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes, falling behind Thorbjorn Olesen and Romain Langasque. The 2016 Irish Open champion, McIlroy praised his ball-striking and green-game skills, though he admitted to missing crucial putts in the final stages. The opening round was suspended due to dangerous weather, and play was called early due to darkness. Watch McIlroy’s second round on Golf Channel Friday at 8 a.m. EDT.
A thrilling start to the Amjun Irish Open left golf fans on the edge of their seats, but it was the late bogeies that proved costly for Rory Mroy in round one. Mroy, the hometown hero, began his journey with a promising one under 71 at the K Club in Kildair, Ireland. However, the real drama unfolded towards the end of his round. I’m actually quite pleased with my performance today, Mroy shared. My game felt solid and I was hitting the ball well off the tea. It’s just a matter of converting those good shots into more birdies. Playing in front of a passionate crowd, Mroy gave them a glimpse of his magic with birdies on holes 11 and 13. But a bogey at the 15th served as a warning sign and the real challenge emerged on the back nine. After a strong start to the back nine, Mroyy’s momentum shifted. He missed an eight-footer for par at the seventh and a crucial 11-footer for birdie at the last. I felt like I was striking the ball well, and my short game was mostly on point, Mroy explained. But those missed putts at the end were frustrating. And here’s where it gets controversial. Some might argue that Mroyy’s late bogeies were a result of the pressure he faced as the crowd favorite. Others might point to the challenging conditions with the round being suspended for 35 minutes due to dangerous weather. Regardless, Mroy will be eager to bounce back in round two. I’m looking forward to getting back out there and showing what I can do, he said. So, golf enthusiasts, what do you think? Was it the pressure, the conditions, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s discuss.
