McIlroy off to fast start at The Open

TSN Senior Reporter

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As far as fiddly golf courses go, the Old Course on Thursday was the fiddliest Rory McIlroy has ever played.

While Northern Irishman left many in his press conference wondering exactly what he meant by that description, there was no confusion about his game. He posted a brilliant 66, two shots back of the lead held by Cameron Young.

McIlroy looked calm and in control as he began and ended his day with birdies, adding five more in between. It marked the third consecutive major he’s opened with a round in the 60s and equalled his second-best first round in the Open Championship. In 2010 at the Old Course, he started with a 63.

“I mean, I did everything that you're supposed to do around St Andrews,” McIlroy said. “I birdied the holes that are birdieable. And I made pars at the holes where you're sort of looking to make a par and move to the next tee. And didn't really put myself out of position too much.”

He started with a bang, rolling in a 55-foot putt on the first hole for a birdie. He added birdies on five, six and seven to make the turn at four under. His only bogey on the day was on 13 after he tried to play an aggressive second shot into the par-5 hole. But it was negated by birdies on 12 and 14. The par-4 18th hole, playing very short due to the wind direction and firm ground, allowed McIlroy one more birdie to close out his round.

“Everything feels just sort of nice and quiet, which is a nice way to be,” McIlroy said of his game.

The fast starts in the last three majors are a welcome relief for McIlroy, who often stumbled out of the gate on Thursdays, making the next three rounds a game of catch-up. Prior to this year, the four-time major champion had broken 70 in the first