Rory McIlroy sits in a good position after his opening round at the British Open, a two-under-par 69 in largely benign conditions in Troon keeping him in touch with the early leaders. The Ulsterman was one of numerous players who enjoyed an excellent start on the front nine on Thursday morning, with four birdies taking him to the turn in 32.
On a day of glorious sunshine in south-west Scotland, the inward nine into the breeze blowing from the Firth of Clyde made the closing holes more challenging. McIlroy duly notched a double-bogey six at the 13th and dropped another stroke at the short 14th but birdied 15 to make it a satisfactory return to the Open.
"It was good. I think if I would've stepped on the first tee and someone would have given me a 69, I probably would have taken it," McIlroy said after his round. "But if somebody had given me that score on the 10th, I probably wouldn't have. But I knew today was a day where you had to make the most of the conditions because I don't think we're going to see the course like this for the rest of the week. "I think the elements are going to be a bit of a challenge. But two under par, shoot something in the 60s, it's a solid start."
The four-time major winner was pleased to be able to focus on his bid for the Claret Jug after a build-up to the tournament dominated by his and numerous other stars' decision to withdraw from the Olympics. He was also relieved to return to the championship after an ankle injury prevented him from defending the Claret Jug he won in 2014 when last year's Open was held at St Andrews.