Former champion Rory McIlroy admitted two late birdies helped “gloss over” a median first spherical of the Horizon Irish Open.
McIlroy, who gained the title the final time it was staged at The Ok Membership in 2016, carded a gap 69 in wonderful situations to lie three pictures off the early clubhouse lead shared by Jordan Smith, Thomas Bjorn and Ross Fisher.
The world quantity two bogeyed his first gap of the day and drove into the water on the seventh to lie only one beneath par with two holes remaining, however holed from 18 toes for birdie on the eighth and 4 toes on the ninth.
“I believe the 2 birdies within the final two holes type of glossed over what was a reasonably common day,” McIlroy stated. “Didn’t actually really feel nice with something.
“It’s onerous to say I’m rusty once I’ve solely had per week off however I simply haven’t had an opportunity to observe a lot and I simply hit a couple of free pictures on the market.
“Managed my sport nicely and scraped it round in three beneath which is good and type of will get me within the match.”
McIlroy nearly pulled out of the Tour Championship with a again damage and isn’t but again to full health, however insisted that was not a difficulty on the course.
“It’s extra that I’ve not been capable of hit a ton of balls,” the 34-year-old added.
“I’m hitting good pictures however it’s all about understanding your patterns and the place you’re lacking it and the place to intention and the place to not intention and simply being a bit uncertain over a few pictures.”
Ryder Cup vice-captain Bjorn admitted he was as shocked as anybody to search out himself on the high of the leaderboard after a prolonged damage lay-off.
The 52-year-old has not performed competitively since June on account of collarbone and decrease again issues, however carded seven birdies and a solitary bogey on the ninth, his last gap.
“I stated to my caddie this morning after we walked to the primary tee, let’s attempt to see if we are able to break 90,” Bjorn stated. “It was that sort of day.
“I got here right here with no expectations and it simply exhibits how foolish this sport may be. You may work onerous for weeks and exit and shoot unhealthy scores.
“Expectations typically get in the best way {of professional} golf, as I’ve proven, and then you definitely simply exit and revel in your self, you’re simply glad to be on the golf course after so lengthy.”
Defending champion Adrian Meronk, who admitted on Wednesday he was shocked and indignant to be ignored for a Ryder Cup wild card, matched the 69 of taking part in companion McIlroy, with former Open champion Shane Lowry going one higher with a 68.