By Ed Osmond
ST ANDREWS, Scotland (Reuters) – Rory McIlroy was a happy man after starting his bid for a second British Open title with a smooth first-round 66 at St Andrews on Thursday.
The world number two picked up four birdies on the front nine and two more around his only bogey at the 13th, before almost holing a long eagle putt on the final green to finish two shots behind pace-setter Cameron Young.
“Fantastic start,” McIlroy told reporters. “Just sort of what you hope will happen when you’re starting off your week. I did everything that you’re supposed to do around St Andrews.”
The Northern Irishman has secured two victories this season as well as finishing second in the Masters and tied fifth at the U.S. Open, one of the most consistent runs of form he has enjoyed since he won his four major crowns from 2011-14.
“Overall, really pleased, he said. “It’s another good start at a major. Three in a row for me now.
“I came in here playing well, and I’ve played this golf course well over the years. So I knew if I just went out there and played my game and stuck to my game plan, that something like this was possible.”
McIlroy appears to be very comfortable on the golf course.
“Everything feels very settled,” he said. “No real issues with my game. Everything feels like it’s in good shape. Everything feels just sort of nice and quiet, which is a nice way to be.”
McIlroy, 33, said he had tried to take a more cautious approach at times.
“I think it’s accepting that sometimes and not being overly aggressive, even when you put yourself in some of these positions,” he said. “I think that’s important.”
McIlroy knows a good start is no guarantee of success as he bids to win the fifth major title he has waited so long for.
“I need to go out tomorrow and back up what I just did today,” he said. “It’s the fiddliest Open that I’ve played. Fiddly hasn’t really been my forte over the years, but I’m hopefully going to make it my forte this week.”
(Reporting by Ed Osmond; Editing by Toby Davis)
