Tom McKibbin struggles to 73 as Royal Troon bares its teeth on Open's day one

Rory McIlroy was even par at this point having bogeyed the opener and clawed that back at the third.

TOUGH FIRST ROUND: Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin reacts after playing a shot on the sixth hole on day one of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon. Picture  Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Tom McKibbin’s first ever round of golf at the Open Championship didn't go quite to plan. The Holywood man was the first of six Irish players out on course and came in having carded a 2-over par 73 in testing conditions.

“It was tricky,” said the 21-year old after an 18 containing two birdies and four bogeys. “Didn't play great at all really. Especially the back nine, it was the harder nine. Just a few shots and a few silly decisions here and there.” The conditions were part of that, no question.