McIlroy produces ‘rollercoaster’ opening round

Australian Open – leaderboard for the first round

-6 E. S. Smylie (Aus), C. Ortiz (Mex), R. Fox (Nzl), -4 C. Charmasson (Fra), R. Neergaard-Petersen (Den), -3 C. Lamb (Aus), E. Pepperell (Eng), S. Leaney (Aus), W. Ormsby (Aus), and D. Hillier (Nzl).

Rory McIlroy opened the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne with a one-over round of 72.

The 2013 Masters Champion had a five birdies and six bogeys in challenging conditions with strong winds, including an up-and-down round.

His playing partners, Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee, both finished the day two under, while Elvis Smylie, Ryan Fox, and Carlos Ortiz from Mexico are all tied for the lead at six under.

Cameron Adam, a professional from Scotland, is just two shots clear of the leaders.

The 22-year-old has started well in Melbourne despite missing the cut at last month’s Australian PGA Championship.

On his way back to the clubhouse, he made three birdies before making a par-three 16th-round save to post a 67.

McIlroy’s round started off with a birdie on the 10th hole, but bogeys on the following two holes set the tone for the next round.

He said, “Every time I made a birdie or two, I made a bogey or two.”

What side of par am I going to finish on, under, or over, I thought?

It wasn’t awful, they said. I had a few early three-putts and hit it in a few bad spots.

McIlroy acknowledged that the crosswinds “caught him out a few times” as he tried to adjust to the conditions, but he is happy to be back at the Australian Open for the first time since 2015.

The career Grand Slam winner acknowledged to the Australian public that the tournament “means a little bit more” than he and his Australian playing partners had from early on Thursday morning.

He said, “I couldn’t believe how many people were there when we teed off,” and that was amazing.

“There are some events in golf that mean a little bit more.” It’s a pleasure to be back and play alongside Adam [Scott] and Min Woo [Lee] because everyone in Australia takes so much pride in their national Open.

I’m looking forward to going out with them again tomorrow.