McIlroy hoping slow and steady wins the race after long Doonbeg day

The wind made it a testing Thursday as the Irish Open got going in Clare. 

UPHILL BATTLE: Rory McIlroy walks to the 13th green. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady

Rory McIlroy reckons he and his dad Gerry can play a full round at Seminole Golf Club back in Florida in roughly two-and-a-half hours if they get a clear run of the course.

His round with Robert MacIntyre and Brooks Koepka in Co Clare on Thursday took an exhausting six hours and four minutes.