Rory McIlroy has spoken up, and at The Open, his game is doing the talking, too

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Earlier this week, Rory McIlroy arrived at St. Andrews, the coastal village where the Scots have been playing golf since the early 15th century, chasing the 21-year-old version of himself from a dozen years ago.

In the first round of the 2010 Open Championship at the Old Course at St. Andrews, McIlroy shot 9-under 63, matching the lowest score ever in a single round at a major. McIlroy shot 8-over 80 in windy conditions the next day and ultimately tied for third, but those remarkable opening 18 holes were the beginning of his stardom.

From 2011 to 2014, McIlroy won four of the 16 majors played: the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship and 2014 PGA Championship. Amazingly, he hasn't finished first in one since. There have been 30 majors played since his last victory, won by 22 different players.

On Thursday, McIlroy at least put himself in position to end that frustrating drought by carding a 6-under 66 in the first round of the 150th Open. He was tied for second among players in the early wave; PGA Tour rookie Cameron Young had the clubhouse lead after recording an 8-under 64.

It was McIlroy's best score after 18 holes in a major since his last major victory, the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in 2014.

«I need to go out [Friday] and back up what I just did,» McIlroy said. «I think that's important to do. But again, this golf course isn't going to change that much, I don't think, between [Thursday] and [Friday] in terms of conditions. I've seen the golf course now in tournament play and tournament conditions and know what to expect. [Friday is] an important run, just to go out and back up what I've done.»

The end of McIlroy's major drought — during the celebration