McIlroy in ‘fantastic’ start at St Andrews

Phil Casey | July 15, 2022

Rory McIlroy has celebrated making a fantastic start to the “fiddliest” British Open of his career, as his delayed return to St Andrews proved well worth the wait.

America’s Cameron Young held the clubhouse lead on Thursday thanks to firing eight birdies in a flawless 64, a score only McIlroy himself has beaten in the opening round of an Open Championship on the Old Course.

McIlroy’s 63 came back in 2010 and was followed by an 80 in terrible weather, while an ankle injury suffered playing football prevented him from bidding to retain the Claret Jug at the same venue in 2015.

The four-time major winner admitted this week therefore felt like the title defence he never had – and he enjoyed an ideal start, holing from 55ft for birdie on the first and making seven in total in his 66, the same score he shot to begin his wire-to-wire victory at Hoylake.

In stark contrast, 15-time major winner Tiger Woods had covered his first nine holes in five over, making a double bogey on the first after hitting his approach – from a fairway divot – into the Swilcan Burn short of the green.

On a day when the early starters took full advantage of benign conditions, Australia’s Cameron Smith carded a 67 while amateur Barclay Brown returned a superb 68 which was matched by Viktor Hovland and Lee Westwood.

But all eyes were on McIlroy, who started with a 65 in the US PGA, a 67 in the US Open and now 66 at St Andrews.

“Yeah, fantastic start,” McIlroy said. 

“Just what you hope will happen when you’re starting off your week. I did everything that you’re supposed to do around St Andrews.

“It’s another good start at a major, three in a row for me now, and I’m looking forward to the next few days.

“I need to go out tomorrow and back up what I just did today.”

The parched conditions meant McIlroy was able to reduce the 614-yard 14th hole to a drive – which went around 400 yards – and a wedge, and he added: “It’s the fiddliest Open that I’ve played.

“Carnoustie was firm in 2018 but it wasn’t like this. I think as the tournament progresses, you’re going to get some funny bounces and it’s going to test your patience at times.

“Fiddly hasn’t really been my forte over the years – but I’m hopefully going to make it my forte this week.”

Young had missed the cut in his last two starts, but the world No.32 has recorded four top-three finishes on the PGA Tour this season and missed out on a play-off for the US PGA Championship by a single shot.

And the 25-year-old revealed this was not his first experience of playing the Old Course thanks to a family trip 12 years ago.

Westwood’s fellow LIV Golf rebel Ian Poulter had been booed by a handful of spectators on the first tee due to his involvement in the Saudi-backed breakaway, but turned the jeers to cheers after holing from 150 feet for an eagle on the ninth in his 69.

Reigning champion Collin Morikawa struggled with his putter in a level-par 72, featuring four birdies and four bogeys.

“It was kind of just a blur. Hit some good drives and hit a bad second shot, hit some good second shots, hit a bad putt. Never got any momentum going,” said Morikawa.