McIlroy grinds out 69 as Niemann leads Irish Open

Rory McIlroy began the defense of his Amgen Irish Open title with a one-under-par 69 at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg on Thursday, leaving him four shots behind clubhouse leader Joaquin Niemann after a first round defined by fierce wind and exceptionally slow play. Niemann, the Chilean, carded a course-record 65, reaching the turn at two under before reeling off four successive birdies from the 14th. Home favourite Shane Lowry, who won the event as a 22-year-old amateur at Baltray, shot a 67 to share second place in the clubhouse at three under alongside South African Shaun Norris. The leaderboard remained provisional, however, as play was suspended shortly before 8pm with several players still on the course. Poland's Adrian Meronk, through 15 holes, Austria's Maximilian Steinlechner, through 13, and Italy's Renato Paratore, through 12, were all at three under, meaning McIlroy's deficit could widen once their rounds are completed on Friday morning. McIlroy's round was one of the longest of the day.