In a dramatic opening round at the Amgen Irish Open, Rory McIlroy initially soared but stumbled at the finish, ultimately carding a 1-under 71 at The K Club in Kildare, Ireland.

Early on, McIlroy showcased his skills, but two consecutive bogeys late in the round prevented him from closing the gap on the leaders, including Nacho Elvira, Thorbjorn Olesen, and Romain Langasque, who set a blistering pace.

Reflecting on his play, McIlroy expressed a mix of optimism and frustration: "I’m encouraged by how I played, just didn’t score as well as I wanted to. The game feels pretty good; it’s just about being more efficient with my scoring."

Fellow competitor Shane Lowry impressed with a 69 while Brooks Koepka, in his tournament debut, matched McIlroy’s score, highlighting the competitive spirit on display.

McIlroy kicked off his round amid drizzle but quickly electrified the crowd with birdies on the 11th and 13th. He navigated the course expertly, only to encounter trouble with a bogey on the 15th before rallying with birdies on two par 5s.

Despite a strong start, McIlroy stalled on the back nine; a bogey on the second hole followed by missed par-saving putts marred his performance. "Ball striking was solid, but I couldn’t convert those crucial putts at the end," he lamented.

The day wasn’t without interruptions, as play was halted for 35 minutes due to adverse weather, which added an extra layer of tension to the competition.

With McIlroy's sights set on reclaiming glory, the upcoming rounds are sure to be a test of both skill and perseverance.