Video: In the ruff... Rory McIlroy forgets the golf to play with a dog as he struggles in Dunhill Cup
Irishman admits he felt flat following last week's heroics
Rory McIlroyÄôs father Gerry warms up on the first tee during round one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday October 2, 2014. See PA story GOLF Dunhill. Photo credit should read: Kenny Smith/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. No commercial use. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Rory McIlroy reacts after hitting a bad shot off the 1st tee during round one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday October 2, 2014. See PA story GOLF Dunhill. Photo credit should read: Kenny Smith/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. No commercial use. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
Rory McIlroy during round one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday October 2, 2014. See PA story GOLF Dunhill. Photo credit should read: Kenny Smith/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only. No commercial use. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 for further information.
It's a safe bet to say that Rory McIlroy has had an enjoyable week. It would also be safe to assume that playing golf has not been on top of his to-do list.
He was back on the golf course today and the Irishman seemed to be still in party mode on the first tee at Carnoustie in the Dunhill Cup.
Ryder Cup winner McIlroy stood proudly on the first tee ready to get back in the swing of it before deciding to entice a stray dog into a little dual with the cover of his driver.
It certainly was a dog's life for McIlroy on the course as he carded a one-over-par 73.
"A 73 isn't disastrous," McIlroy said.
Oliver Wilson of England, ranked 791 places below the top-ranked McIlroy, equaled the Carnoustie course record with an 8-under 64. It's the second straight year he's shot an opening 64 to lead the Dunhill Links. Last year, he finished tied for 59th.
Wilson was in the Ryder Cup in 2008, the last time Europe lost to the U.S, but since 2011 has been competing on the secondary Challenge Tour. He received an invite for this week and sank nine birdie putts, finishing birdie-birdie-birdie-bogey-birdie.
"I shot a 63 a fortnight ago in the Kazakhstan Open, which is our major on the Challenge Tour, so to shoot a 64 here at Carnoustie is very pleasing," Wilson said.
"I only dropped one shot, which was disappointing at 17, but then to birdie the last makes up for that. I'm so delighted to get Carnoustie and the tougher of the three courses out of the way."
Raphael Jacquelin of France, also at Carnoustie, was one shot behind in second after a 65 which included an eagle on the par-5 14th, his fifth hole.
The Irish pair of Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry shared third with 66s. Harrington, at Carnoustie where he captured the 2007 British Open, bogeyed his closing two holes.
The 55th-ranked Lowry, desperate to earn a maiden Masters invitation by being inside the top-50 at year's end, birdied six of his opening 10 holes at Kingsbarns course.
McIlroy sent his opening tee shot at Carnoustie way left after hitting the ground about four inches (10 centimeters) behind the ball, but then managed to save par on the course where he won the low amateur medal in the 2007 Open won by Harrington.
"I just felt a little flat coming here after the crowds and everything that we were playing in front of last week," he said.
"I've got Kingsbarns tomorrow, so I will try and post a better number and try and hang in there, and then go to St. Andrews over the weekend, a golf course I've played well on before."
Of the three other Ryder Cup winners in the field, Stephen Gallacher fared best with two eagles in a 68, followed by Victor Dubuisson (71), and Martin Kaymer (74). Their captain, Paul McGinley, was 2 over after four holes before ending with a par 72.
