Rory McIlroy faced a challenging start at the Australian Open, landing a one-over par round of 72. The event took place at Royal Melbourne under difficult circumstances, characterized by strong winds. McIlroy acknowledged the day’s unpredictable nature, describing it as a “rollercoaster.”
Day One Highlights
The Masters champion, who previously won this tournament in 2013, experienced a mixed performance. His round featured:
- Five birdies
- Six bogeys
Despite his struggles, McIlroy remained optimistic. “Every time I made a birdie or two, I made a bogey or two,” he reflected. He expressed awareness of the challenges posed by the day’s conditions, noting, “It’s tricky conditions, and not like anyone is getting away out there.”
Leaders and Competitors
McIlroy’s playing partners, Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee, performed slightly better, finishing two under par. Meanwhile, several players topped the leaderboard:
- Elvis Smylie (Australia)
- Ryan Fox (New Zealand)
- Carlos Ortiz (Mexico)
All three players are tied for the lead at six under par. Scotland’s Cameron Adam is impressively positioned, sitting two shots behind the leaders at four under. At just 22 years old, this marks Adam’s second tournament as a professional.
Cameron Adam’s Performance
Cameron Adam had a promising start after missing the cut in his debut at the Australian PGA Championship. He secured three birdies on the front nine and two additional birdies on the back, finishing with a score of 67 despite a bogey on the par-three 16th.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, McIlroy hopes to capitalize on improved conditions. “I limited the damage and hope the conditions are a little bit better tomorrow,” he concluded. Players will be eager to build momentum in the following rounds of the Australian Open.
