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British Open 2017: Rory McIlroy updated leaderboard after Round 1

By Dave Stevenson

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - JULY 18: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts during a practice round prior to the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 18, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - JULY 18: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts during a practice round prior to the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 18, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Rory McIlroy had a terrible first nine holes at the British Open but finished the Open Championship by reminding everyone how talented he is.

Rory McIlroy has not been having an ideal season. The talented golf star has yet to win a tournament during the PGA season. After missing the cut at the U.S. Open, McIlroy is off to another terrible start at the Open Championship. Through his first nine holes, he was five strokes over par.

McIlroy went over par in five of his first six holes. Moreover, he didn’t even get a birdie through the first nine holes. The 2014 Open Championship winner had four pars and five bogeys through his first nine holes. Entering the final nine holes, McIlroy ranked tied for 122nd on the leaderboard.

His first birdie didn’t come until the 11th hole. This came after McIlroy got a par on the 10th hole. Another birdie got him down to three strokes over par. McIlroy finished the day one stroke over par, tied for 55th when he ended the day. It’s nothing short of outstanding he ended the day just one stroke over par considering how bad he was early.

Once thought to be one of golf’s biggest stars (which he still is), McIlroy has been slipping a lot lately. Tiger Woods experienced a very similar slide. The Open Championship would have been a great place for the fourth ranked golfer in the world (entering the tournament) to remind everyone who he is. Unfortunately, McIlroy failed to do so until the last nine holes.

Next: Complete List Of PGA Championship Winners

While Rory is still very much in the running to win the tournament, he’ll have to overcome a terrible start. That’s something he has struggled with repeatedly in the past, but his final nine holes are definitely encouraging.

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