McIlroy off the pace despite memorable escape

Rory McIlroy pulled off what he called “one of the best shots I’ve ever hit” today, but was left wishing he had produced another on the last hole when the Irish Open began at Killarney.

Playing his first tournament on home soil since his runaway US Open victory in June, the 22-year-old saved par on the 14th after a spectacular hook round the trees from deep rough.