The Masters Champion was the only Irishman under par, until Fota Island amateur John Doyle birdied the first hole to join McIlroy.<\/p>\n
More Irish woe on 15 as Lowry three-putt leads to bogey<\/strong>After finding the green with his second shot, Shane Lowry leaves his first putt from 40 feet a few feet short, and he misses the follow-up to drop to one-over-par. He cleans up for his par to stay two-under-par through five holes.<\/p>\n Brilliant wedge shot takes McIlroy to two-under-par<\/strong>After a quiet finish to his PGA Tour season, Rory looks right at it so far on home soil.<\/p>\n A brilliant 3 wood, followed by a flighted wedge to six-feet, and he slots the putt for a second birdie in his opening four holes.<\/p>\n Multiple-time DP World tour winner Dan Brown leads after starting with three birdies in his first six holes.<\/p>\n Watch as Rory is announced as Masters Champion for the first time on home soil<\/strong><\/p>\n The first Irishman on the golf course today<\/strong>Robert Moran chipped in for birdie on the 18th at Killeen Castle to clinch his spot in this week’s Irish Open, and the Dubliner was the first home player on the course.\u00a0<\/p>\n He is currently two-over-par through five holes.<\/p>\n The sun is starting to come out in Straffan, and conditions are ideal for scoring.<\/p>\n All pars to start for Lowry and Koepka<\/strong>Lowry makes par on the opening three holes, as does Brooks Koepka, who is hoping for some Irish luck to turn his torrid season around.\u00a0<\/p>\n The five-time major champion has a new putter in the bag, after struggling all year on the LIV Tour, and missing out on the Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n Rory gets the flatstick going to open his birdie account!<\/strong>A brilliant shot from thick rough on the 11th hole, gives McIlroy a chance from 25 feet…and he judges it perfectly, as the ball trickles down the hill and finds the cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n The early crowd loved that one! Under-par through two for ‘Rors’<\/p>\n Three pars to start for Padraig Harrington<\/strong>The three-time major and three-time senior major champion makes three pars to start.<\/p>\n Harrington was asked about a Presidential run in his future this week. I’m sure we would all love to see that!<\/p>\n Brilliant up-and-down on the opening hole for McIlroy<\/strong>A scrappy first hole but a brilliant long bunker shot allows the Masters Champion to save par to start his day.<\/p>\n Watch as DP World Tour stars give their bucket list sporting event to attend<\/strong><\/p>\n Poor second shot leaves Rory scrambling on the first<\/strong>The 2016 Champion’s fairway wood is squeezed right and ends up behind a tree, forcing him to pitch out to the greenside bunker.\u00a0<\/p>\n Up-and-down for par needed.<\/p>\n Birdie slides by for Shane Lowry on his opening hole<\/strong>The Clara man is faced with a tricky six-footer for birdie on the par-five tenth, and the ball dives across the hole. <\/p>\n Lowry finished third here in 2023 and will hope to build momentum for Bethpage Black, and win his first Irish Open as a professional, after his famous win as an amateur in Baltray in 2009. Memories of Rome<\/strong>Plenty of Ryder Cup team Europe in action this week.\u00a0<\/p>\n Here’s Rory reminding us of that magic in Rome in 2023<\/p>\n “On the tee from Northern Ireland, the Masters Champion, Rory McIlroy”<\/strong>And with Rory McIlroy’s drive finding the fairway on the par-five 10th hole at the K Club, live coverage of the first round of the Irish Open is underway.<\/p>\n Follow as we take you through the morning wave, which also includes Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and plenty of other home favourites.\u00a0<\/p>\n Enjoy!<\/p>\n
Splash! Rory finds water off the tee on 15<\/strong>As I was typing my previous post, Rory’s drive on 15 finds the water hazard down the right, and it will be a struggle for a par now.McIlroy cleans up for par to keep momentum going<\/strong>Rory’s tee shot on the par-three 14th leaves him a 40-footer and after being praised by Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley, he leaves the first putt 5 feet short.\u00a0<\/p>\nKoepka opens his Irish birdie account<\/strong>After missing a short one on the 13th, Koepka hits a stunning tee shot into the par-three 14th and makes the putt to get into the red. It’s just a par for Shane Lowry.<\/p>\n
Birdie putt slips by for Rory on 12<\/strong>A very solid tee shot into the par-three 12th leaves all three players 25 feet for birdie, and all three make par, with McIlroy burning the edge for another birdie.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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