A Sky Sports reporter shared a concerning update from Rory McIlroy’s group during the first round of The Open Championship at Royal Troon.
The Northern Irishman looked out of sorts during his first 18 holes, knocking his drive out of bounds on the par-four 11th, leading to a double bogey and a seven-over 78.
Max Homa, who was playing alongside the Northern Irishman, also endured a difficult day, making three bogeys on his first nine.
McIlroy admitted he was excited to play with Tyrrell Hatton before his first round, and the Englishman was the pick of the trio, carding a two-over 73.
Bad vibes from Rory McIlroy’s group at The Open Championship
With the trio struggling at times on Thursday, a Sky Sports on-course reporter shared a concerning update on the “vibe” of the group.
“I tell you what, the atmosphere and the vibe in this group is not great,” said the commentator. “Max is struggling and Rory is not where he wants his game to be at.”
Before McIlroy’s first round, Paul McGinley claimed the four-time major champion could struggle, a prediction that certainly rang true.
Rory McIlroy’s first-round record at The Open
McIlroy made his Open Championship debut in 2007, and, for the most part during his career, he has started positively.
On his way to lifting the Claret Jug in 2014, McIlroy carded a 66 during his first round at Royal Liverpool.
Furthermore, during his last outing at Royal Troon in 2016, the Northern Irishman carded an opening 69. Worryingly, the two times McIlroy missed the cut at The Open, he started poorly.
He carded a 79 during the 2019 edition at Royal Portrush, and it was an identical situation at Muirfield back in 2013.
The 35-year-old will be desperate for the conditions to improve on Friday and for his distance and ball flight to become a strength instead of a hindrance.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
