Route 66 has McIlroy off to solid start as Harrington shines and Lowry digs in

Hot stick: Ireland's Rory McIlroy during day one of The Open at the Old Course, St Andrews. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire.

On the “fiddliest” Open Championship course Rory McIlroy has encountered yet, he fashioned an enviable 6-under-par 66 in the opening round at the Old Course to sit just too behind Open debutante Cameron Young.

“Fiddly has never been my forte, but I’m hopefully going the make it my forte this week,” said McIlroy.