ST. ANDREWS — Rory McIlroy delivered a rollercoaster opening round at the 153rd Open Championship, mixing brilliance with frustration to finish three shots behind early leader Matt Fitzpatrick, who shares the top spot in a five-way tie at Royal Troon.
McIlroy, seeking his first major victory since 2014, thrilled fans with four birdies in his first seven holes but faltered late with bogeys on the 16th and 17th. His even-par 71 left him trailing Fitzpatrick, who carded a 3-under 68 alongside fellow co-leaders Justin Thomas, Ludvig Åberg, and amateur sensation John Gough.
McIlroy's Mixed Fortunes
The Northern Irishman started with fireworks, draining a 25-foot birdie putt on the first hole and adding three more by the seventh. "I felt like I was in complete control early," McIlroy said. "But the wind picked up, and those closing holes at Troon are just brutal."
Key moments that defined McIlroy's round:
- A miraculous 40-yard bunker shot to 3 feet for birdie at the par-5 4th
- A three-putt bogey from 15 feet at the par-3 8th
- A wayward drive into gorse bushes leading to double bogey at 11
Fitzpatrick's Flawless Start
The 2022 U.S. Open champion showed why he's considered one of golf's best tacticians, navigating Troon's treacherous back nine with 12 pars and two birdies. "I don't think I missed a single fairway after the turn," Fitzpatrick remarked.
His round featured:
- A 50-foot birdie putt at the 5th hole
- Crucial par saves from bunkers on 14 and 16
- Just 26 putts total
The Leaderboard Logjam
Five players sit atop the leaderboard at 3-under:
- Matt Fitzpatrick (England)
- Justin Thomas (USA)
- Ludvig Åberg (Sweden)
- John Gough (England, amateur)
Notable names lurking include:
- Tiger Woods (+1, T28)
- Scottie Scheffler (E, T15)
- Jon Rahm (+2, T42)
Weather Woes Ahead
Forecasters predict challenging conditions for Friday's second round, with 25mph winds and intermittent rain expected. "Whoever handles that best will separate themselves," said Thomas, who overcame two early bogeys to join the lead.
McIlroy remained optimistic despite his finish: "I'm still right there. Three shots can disappear quickly in an Open Championship, especially if the weather turns."
Amateur Sensation
English amateur John Gough stole headlines by becoming the first non-professional to lead The Open since 1968. The 25-year-old made eagle at the par-5 16th to cap his historic round. "I just tried to treat it like any other tournament," said Gough, who won the 2023 U.S. Mid-Amateur.
Key stats from Round 1:
- Field scoring average: 74.8 (+4.8)
- Hardest hole: 11th (4.8 average, +0.8)
- Easiest hole: 4th (4.4 average, -0.6)
- Only 12 players broke par
Looking Ahead
With worsening conditions expected, players face a critical moving day on Friday. McIlroy will tee off at 9:25 AM local time with Hideki Matsuyama and Xander Schauffele, while the leaders go out late afternoon when winds are forecast to peak at 30mph.
Fitzpatrick acknowledged the challenge ahead: "This is when you have to trust your game plan completely. There will be holes where par feels like birdie."
For McIlroy, the quest continues. "I know what it takes to win here," said the 2014 Champion Golfer of the Year. "It's about staying patient and taking chances when they come."
