McIlroy facing battle to make half-way cut

Defending champion struggles

Defending champion Rory McIlroy faces a battle to make the halfway cut after labouring to a level-par 72 in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

On a day when 105 of the 156-strong field broke par, the tournament host could only manage two birdies and two bogeys to end the day eight shots off the lead shared by American Daniel Im and France’s Benjamin Hebert.

And playing partners Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama rubbed salt into McIlroy’s wounds with rounds of 65 and 67 respectively as the majority of the field took advantage of almost ideal conditions.

McIlroy made an early exit from his home event for three years running before his dramatic victory at the K Club last year.

“I’m pretty frustrated because it felt like the course was there to shoot a really low score,” he said.

“I could not get anything going, and hopefully I can get out there tomorrow morning and make some birdies.”

Flawless rounds of 64 from Im and Hebert established the course record at Portstewart and gave the unlikely duo – with a combined world ranking of 796 – a one-shot lead over Rahm, Oliver Fisher and Matthew Southgate.

Scotland’s David Drysdale is on six under, sharing sixth place with Matt Fitzpatrick, and also Jamie Donaldson.

Stephen Gallacher and Duncan Stewart were one shot further back, alongside Olympic champion Justin Rose and local favourite Graeme McDowell.

Donaldson’s 66 remarkably included a five-putt double-bogey on the 13th.

Richie Ramsay is four under, one ahead of Paul Lawrie and Marc Warren,

Scott Jamieson is two under after an opening round of 70.

Picture: Getty. Rory McIlroy had a frustrating start to the defence of his Irish Open title, failing to make the most of ideal conditions.