Rory McIlroy's opening round at The Open got off to a shaky start when his tee shot on the par-three 4th hole landed short and left, settling at the bottom of a depression. The chip shot that followed was heavy-handed, and he missed the 15-foot putt for par, resulting in a bogey that put him at +1 for the round.
Early Struggles at Royal Troon
According to reports, McIlroy's start was not ideal, but he has faced worse at this venue. In 2017, he was five over par after six holes but managed to bounce back and finish in a tie for fourth place. That experience could prove valuable as he navigates the early challenges of the tournament.
Resilience and Experience
McIlroy's ability to recover from difficult starts has been a hallmark of his career. His caddie's encouraging words helped him refocus after the nightmare start, as noted by Andy Bull in a recent article. The golfer's resilience will be tested as he aims to climb the leaderboard in the coming rounds.
