Magical Rory McIlroy leads Open after matching record score
Rory McIlroy today equalled the lowest ever round at a Major with a stunning nine-under-par 63 in the first round of the Open Championship.
The Northern Ireland star took advantage of an Old Course left defenceless by benign conditions to thrill the packed galleries with seven birdies and an eagle, playing the last 10 holes in eight under for a three-shot clubhouse lead over 1995 champion John Daly and Scotland's Andrew Coltart.
Troubled world No1 Tiger Woods will go into the second round lurking ominously on five under par.
But it was McIlroy, who deservedly hogged the limelight after a superb display which justified his position as pre-tournament second favourite behind Woods.
The 21-year-old's stupendous performance means there have now been 24 rounds of 63 in Major history — he is the 22nd player to achieve the feat — and the first in The Open since Nick Faldo and Payne Stewart 17 years ago.
McIlroy revealed he had been inspired by seeing compatriot Graeme McDowell win the US Open at Pebble Beach last month.
He said: "It's given me a lot of belief knowing that if a good friend of mine could go out and win a Major, there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to do the same as well.
"Hopefully, I can keep it going over the next few days. You really needed to take advantage of the conditions this morning and thankfully I was able to do that. We will see what the weather does tomorrow."
The forecast is good for the later starters in the second round, which will give McIlroy a great chance of replicating today's heroics. He said: "I didn't get off to a flying start. I was one-under through eight holes, and then the eagle on nine really sort of turned things around for me, and I just got going from there.
"I definitely thought we needed to take advantage of the conditions and of the golf course. Obviously there's been a lot of rain over the past couple of days, and going out there this morning with no wind you're never going to get St Andrews playing any easier. It was great to get into the rhythm of the round and get into a flow."
Woods had also been eager to exploit the kind weather, with little wind and just the occasional thin veil of rain creeping across the Fife links. Having made just one birdie in his first six holes, Woods said: "You had to take advantage of the conditions and I felt like I did a pretty good job of that today. I let the round mature."
