Nightmare start for McIlroy at the Open

GULLANE, United Kingdom: World number two Rory McIlroy endured a horror start to the British Open on Thursday, collapsing to a eight-over 79, already 13 shots off the early lead held by American Zach Johnson.

While others tore up the front nine on a fast but fair Muirfield course, McIlroy struggled to the turn in one over before two consecutive bogeys followed by a double bogey on the 379-yard, par-4 12th.

It was the worst possible start for a player looking to silence those who think he is somehow distracted and not fully focused on his golf.

A birdie at the par-three 13th gave some relief, but it was short-lived as the 24-year-old Ulsterman was left shaking his head in disbelief as his long putt at the 15th raced over the rock-hard green and buried itself in a bunker.

A second double-bogey was the end result of that and he looked a
disconsolate figure trudging off 18th green with the question mark around his current form beginning to take on giant proportions.

The Ulsterman has failed to win a tournament all year after changing his management company and deciding to switch equipment providers, from Titleist to Nike.

Some pundits have suggested his high-profile relationship with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki may also be contributing to his decline.

Fans are desperate for McIlroy, the youngest player to win two majors since Seve Ballesteros in 1980, to rediscover his form.
(AFP)