Snail’s pace at the Irish Open down to course design and windy conditions

Donald Trump has applied to extend the ballroom at his Doonbeg hotel, but the planning process has been held up by an objection centred on protecting the rare narrow-mouthed whorl snail. Any of our protected snails watching on at the first round of the Irish Open would recognise its pace.

Rory McIlroy stepped off the course six hours and six minutes after he teed off, the grandstand on the 18th green almost empty and the early autumn gloaming closing in around him. He signed for a one-under 69 and described it as the longest round of golf he has ever played.