Open favourite Rory McIlroy suffered a nightmare start in his bid to win the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush after recording a quadruple-bogey eight on the first hole, as Shane Lowry enjoyed a flying start to lead. Northern Ireland’s big hope for a home winner could hardly have begun in worse fashion after McIlroy hit his tee shot out of bounds. "On the tee from Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy!" Quadruple-bogey 8 😔 Rory McIlroy goes out of bounds with his opening tee shot.#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/zxo1UWprEu — The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 18, 2019Watching Rory make a quad on the first hole with Marty Carr (@CarrGolfTravel), son of Ireland’s greatest amateur. READ MORE Darren Clarke enjoys dream start to home Open at Royal PortrushUpdated with latest scores at 11:20am.

Source: Irish Examiner July 18, 2019 09:45 UTC