Rory McIlroy carded a one-over 72 in what he described as a “rollercoaster” start to the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne. The Masters champion, returning to the event for the first time since 2015, struggled to find rhythm in swirling crosswinds that shaped much of Thursday’s play.
Birdies Offset by Bogeys
McIlroy’s round mixed quality and errors—five birdies cancelled by six bogeys. Starting on the back nine, he opened with a birdie on the 10th but immediately gave away shots on the next two holes. He admitted the conditions repeatedly “caught him out,” especially on the greens where early three-putts cost momentum.
Leaders Pull Ahead Early
While McIlroy finished at +1, the top of the leaderboard saw a three-way tie at six under as Elvis Smylie, Ryan Fox, and Carlos Ortiz set the pace. His playing partners Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee both managed solid two-under rounds.
Crowd Support Impresses McIlroy
Despite the inconsistent day, McIlroy said he enjoyed the strong morning turnout and praised the passion Australian fans show for their national Open. He remains optimistic about improving his position when play resumes on Friday.
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