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.

But, three-under-par and only one off the lead with one to play, McIlroy went from a fairway bunker into water and double-bogeyed.

As he signed for only a one-under 70 Swede Niclas Lemke, in the event only because of his third-placed finish in the Scandinavian Masters on Sunday, went to five-under on the 17th.

It put him one ahead of defending champion Ross Fisher, Australian left-hander Richard Green and Ireland’s Colm Moriarty, himself in the field thanks to a sponsor’s invitation.