Open favourite Rory McIlroy was battling to recover from a nightmare start to his bid to lift the Claret Jug on home soil after recording a quadruple bogey on the first hole at Royal Portrush as Shane Lowry enjoyed a flying start to lead. Northern Ireland’s best hope for a home winner could hardly have begun in worse fashion after pulling his opening tee shot out of bounds on the 424-yard par four. In stark contrast to McIlroy, Clarke had enjoyed a dream start as he hit the opening tee shot at 6.35am after enjoying a prolonged ovation as he strolled on to the first tee. “It could not have been better, hitting the first tee shot and making birdie, wonderful,” Clarke said. Two-time winner Harrington slipped from two-under-par after five holes to finish with a four-over 75.

Source: Irish Examiner July 18, 2019 12:33 UTC