Three consecutive pars adopted, with the 33-year-old’s high quality opening wanting set to proceed with a strong drive from the fifth tee. But, extremely, McIlroy’s rushing shot was prematurely grounded when it bounced right into a stone in the midst of the golf green.
Formed like miniature tombstones and generally known as March Stones, they mark the sides of the unique course, which dates again to the fifteenth century.
Regardless of the stone’s finest effort, McIlroy rallied beautifully to birdie the par-5 gap, earlier than rattling two extra in a row to sit down 4-under after simply seven holes.
Talking to reporters after his spherical, the four-time main champion admitted that whereas he hadn’t seen the stone’s affect on his drive, he had been chatting together with his caddie Harry Diamond concerning the prospect of an unfortunate golfer being pressured to play a shot from behind one.
“I stated to Harry, some poor man goes to have his ball find yourself proper behind that as we speak as a result of it is proper within the firing vary, and I do not suppose you get a drop,” McIlroy stated.
There was additionally a light-hearted jab at spherical companions Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele, who birdied the fifth with none stone intervention.
“I believe I nonetheless hit it previous the opposite two,” McIlroy laughed, reflecting on his follow-up shot.
A bogey on the thirteenth offered the one blemish on the Northern Irishman’s scorecard, as a closing birdie on the ultimate gap noticed the 2014 Champion shut out a 6-under 66, leaving him two photographs behind clubhouse chief Cameron Younger.
“Incredible begin,” McIlroy stated. “Simply what you hope will occur once you’re beginning off your week.
“I did all the things that you simply’re presupposed to do round St Andrews … It is one other good begin at a serious, three in a row for me now. Wanting ahead to the following few days.”
But whereas the Claret Jug stays properly within reach for McIlroy, one among his few stray drives was not seen by one unlucky spectator.
Charlie Kane, a PGA Tour worker, tweeted that he had suffered a fractured hand after the golfer’s ball hit his knuckle.
Accompanying photos confirmed painful wanting bruising, however concluded exhibiting Kane again out across the course smiling, albeit sporting a sling.
“He shouted fore. I didn’t heed the warning,” he wrote.
McIlroy is scheduled to tee off for his second spherical at 2:59 p.m. BST (9:59 a.m. ET) Friday.
