By Lewis Jones
Rory McIlroy endured a frustrating opening round at The Open at Royal Birkdale with a series of missed puts leading to a two over par 72.
The reigning Masters Champion carded six bogeys, with four on the back nine, leaving him with plenty of catching up to do sitting seven off the top tied for 87th.
He will hope for a much-improved performance on Friday morning to climb back into contention.
Making his debut at the tournament, Jackson Suber set the pace as the solo leader with five under par, with the highlight of his round coming through an eagle at the 17th.
This makes the American the seventh all-time player to start an Open Championship at Royal Birkdale with 65 or lower.
Local star Tommy Fleetwood embraced the home support as he scored 69 to finish one under and tied for 24.
The 35-year-old bogeyed two of the first three holes on the back nine but managed to pull it back together with a birdie on the 15th and 17th.
Despite missing his first cut in nearly four years at the Genesis Scottish Open last week, Scottie Scheffler came into the tournament as the favourite.
Last year’s Champion Golfer of the Year proved why he is still worthy of that title, carding two under par 68 as he sits T13.
The 2017 Royal Birkdale winner Jordan Spieth endured a difficult return to the course.
A double bogey and two further dropped shots saw him score 73 to finish Thursday at three over, leaving him tied for 106th and with work to do to make the cut.
Many believe Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick could be lifting the Claret Jug on Sunday.
But it will be an uphill battle for the world number three after an opening two over par 72 left him needing an improved second round to challenge over the weekend.
Southport-born Matthew Baldwin had the honour of striking the championship’s opening tee shot.
The Royal Birkdale member, making his first Open appearance since 2019, finished with a two over par 72, to sit tied for 85th.
(Featured pic from Alamy Images under agreed licence)
