Rory McIlroy had a stop-start opening to the 100th French Open at Golf National on Thursday, as Dane Lucas Bjerregaard fired a hole-in-one and opened up a one-shot clubhouse lead. World number four McIlroy managed four birdies against four bogeys in an even par round of 71 to sit five adrift of the early lead. Starting on the 10th, consecutive birdies at 14 and 15 got the four-time major champion off to a quick start, but he handed them back on the front nine.
Despite not being a spectacular opening to his first visit here since 2010, it was a good return for McIlroy after missing the US Open cut at Oakmont, despite two shots finding the water. The Northern Irishman was focusing on getting his swing in good technical order, with some doubts creeping in during the round. "Conditions were pretty tricky with the wind up and there were a couple of mistakes and loose shots in there," he said. "I've got about four or five swing thoughts out there at the minute, so that's why I'm sort of happy with 71 with how much I'm focusing on my golf swing and my technique."
McIlroy opted to play in this tournament over the WGC Bridgestone Invitational because of the double Ryder Cup points on offer, but he was overshadowed on the first morning by two youngsters. The 24-year-old Bjerregaard's magical moment came on the par-three second hole, and he backed it up with five further birdies in a sparkling five-under-par round of 66. Bjerregaard has never won on the European Tour, but now at least looks set for a second appearance in the British Open, with the leading four from the top 12 this week who have yet to qualify to be given invites to Royal Troon.