McIlroy shoots 80, risks another early exit
NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland - Rory McIlroy can't seem to perform in front of a home crowd. The Northern Ireland star looked bewildered as he shot a 9-over-par 80 - his worst score of the season - in the opening round Thursday of the Irish Open. He fell to the bottom of the morning's leader board and finished tied for 150th place at the end of the day.
NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland - Rory McIlroy can't seem to perform in front of a home crowd.
The Northern Ireland star looked bewildered as he shot a 9-over-par 80 - his worst score of the season - in the opening round Thursday of the Irish Open. He fell to the bottom of the morning's leader board and finished tied for 150th place at the end of the day.
McIlroy failed to make the cut at Wentworth last weekend.
Many other players struggled amid gales and pounding showers at Royal County Down, a links course in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains famed for its stunning seaside setting. But the scores improved as the winds eased somewhat and the afternoon sun came out.
Taking advantage were Irish veteran Padraig Harrington and unheralded Maximilian Kieffer of Germany, who both shot 67 to share the lead.
PGA Tour
IRVING, Texas - Steven Bowditch matched his career best with an 8-under 62 in the AT&T Byron Nelson, leaving Jordan Spieth 7 strokes back in the Masters champion's hometown event.
Bowditch, the Australian also playing close to his home in the Dallas suburbs, made three putts of at least 24 feet while shooting 30 on the front nine. He had a 2-stroke lead over another Texan, Jimmy Walker.
With a large gallery cheering him, Spieth opened with a birdie but missed two short chances late and settled for a 69.
Defending champion Brendon Todd, playing a group ahead of Spieth, had just one birdie and shot 72.