Rory McIlroy’s Tough Start: A 78 at Royal Troon

Rory McIlroy faced a challenging day at Royal Troon during his opening round of the 2024 Open Championship. The 19-year-old struggled with a brutal 78, evoking memories of his disappointing performance at Portrush in 2019. The severe conditions, including 20mph winds and persistent rain, contributed to his difficulties on the course, which played exceptionally long and tough. McIlroy’s performance included just one birdie, one out-of-bounds shot, and two double bogeys, leaving him with a significant deficit.

His primary focus now is to make the cut on Friday. The day saw McIlroy’s round unravel dramatically, highlighted by his drive out of bounds on the 11th which reflected his frustration and resignation. The 18th hole encapsulated his struggles, as McIlroy’s scorecard blew away in the wind while he prepared for his approach shot. Despite an initial reasonable start, he failed to adapt to the shifting conditions, including a change in wind direction that complicated his strategy. He admitted, “I just didn’t adapt well enough to the conditions.”

While McIlroy tried to stay positive and aimed to recover from a two-over-par at the turn, he found the back nine particularly challenging. His difficulties were both technical and psychological. His playing partner, Tyrrell Hatton, managed a 73 despite also struggling, highlighting the contrast in their performances. Rory McIlroy’s earlier assertion that he had overcome his Pinehurst demons now seems questionable.

His performance at Royal Troon revealed ongoing challenges both with his game and his mental approach. As the tournament progresses, McIlroy’s ability to overcome these hurdles will be crucial.