Rory McIlroy expressed satisfaction with his position after completing a challenging opening round at the Irish Open, held at Doonbeg. The defending champion took more than six hours to finish his 18 holes, marking one of the longest rounds in his career.

McIlroy, currently ranked World No. 2, recorded a one-under-par 69 in difficult conditions that included strong winds and frequent interruptions. He acknowledged the demands of the round, stating that maintaining rhythm was particularly challenging given the stop-start nature of play.

“It was very windy and it was hard to get into any sort of rhythm out there,” McIlroy said. Despite the challenges, he was encouraged by his ability to stay under par and remain in contention. After his round, he stood four shots off the lead.

His round was marked by a double bogey on the 13th hole, where he was previously positioned at two under par. However, McIlroy responded by stabilizing his play with a series of pars and a birdie on the closing holes.

“It wouldn’t be a round of golf for me if there wasn’t a double-bogey in there somewhere,” he remarked, highlighting his resilience in recovering from setbacks.

McIlroy’s steady finish demonstrates his determination to defend his title amid tough playing conditions. As the tournament progresses, he remains well positioned to compete for the championship in front of a home crowd.