Irish Open: Rory McIlroy gives 'happy' assessment after strong finish at Royal County Down
Rory McIlroy is in touching distance of the leaders after a strong finish to his first round at the Irish Open.
McIlroy carded an opening round 68 to finish on -3 at Royal County Down, two shots off early leader Sami Valimaki and Todd Clements. The four-time major winner turned things around around after back-to-back bogeys dropped him to level par with birdies in the last holes to keep himself well in contention ahead of Friday's second round.
"Yeah happy enough, any time you can shoot three under around this place you have to be happy," said McIlroy after his round.
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"It was pretty tough early on then the wind seemed to settle a little bit over the last few holes so it was nice to take advantage of that and play the last few holes the way I did.
"It was nice to get off to a good start for a change. I enjoyed being out there, the crowds were great, it was great being out there with Tom and Ricky McCormick as well.
"It's nice to come back and play in front of this crowd and these fans. It was an enjoyable afternoon."
McIlroy stirred up the home support as he got off to a flyer on the first hole. The 35-year-old sealed a birdie putt to set him off on the right foot.
A dropped shot on the fifth was cancelled out with another birdie on the 8th as McIlroy made the turn on -1. Another birdie was secured on 12 before back-to-back bogeys on 14 and 15 dropped him back to level par.
But McIlroy stirred again in the last three holes, with birdies at them all to finish on two under and leave himself hot on the heels of the leader.
Tom McKibbin, who played in McIlroy's group, recorded a 74 to finish on +3. Shane Lowry birdied the final hole to finish on one over for the round.
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