Rory Mcilroy Feels He Has ‘the Support Of An Entire Country’ After Bright Start To Open

Rory McIlroy said he feels “the support of an full country” aft posting a 1 nether par 70 to statesman his Open bid successful promising manner astatine Royal Portrush. Day 1 astatine nan Open marked McIlroy’s first competitory quality successful Northern Ireland since he became conscionable nan sixth golfer successful history to complete a profession expansive slam, astatine nan Masters successful April. He was backed by packed and vociferous galleries throughout.

McIlroy’s information contrasted sharply pinch his commencement successful 2019 arsenic nan Open returned to Portrush pursuing a 68-year hiatus. Then, a Thursday 79 led to a missed trim contempt brave efforts successful information two. This time, McIlroy finds himself conscionable 3 from nan early leaders.

“Absolutely incredible,” said McIlroy of his backing. “I consciousness nan support of an full state retired there, which is simply a awesome position to beryllium successful but astatine nan aforesaid time, you don’t want to fto them down. So there’s that small spot of added pressure.

“I felt for illustration I dealt pinch it really good today. Certainly dealt pinch it amended than I did six years ago. I was conscionable happy to get disconnected to a bully commencement and get myself into nan tournament.

“I was benignant of surprised. There’s a fewer guys astatine 4 under, but I’m amazed 4 nether is leading. I thought personification mightiness person gone retired location and changeable six aliases 7 today. Only 3 backmost pinch 54 holes to go, I’m really happy pinch wherever I am.”

Asked to comparison his emotions pinch 2019, McIlroy said: “I knew what to expect. It wasn’t caller to me. So I deliberation conscionable having that acquisition of six years agone was decidedly helpful. I didn’t consciousness for illustration I was stepping into nan chartless this clip around, wherever past clip I hadn’t knowledgeable that before.

“I hadn’t played an Open astatine home. I didn’t cognize really I was going to feel. I didn’t cognize nan guidance I was going to get, wherever this clip I had a amended thought of what was going to beryllium coming my way.”