McIlroy on 72 at Irish Open: 'I just couldn't get any momentum'

It was a disappointing even-par 72 for Rory McIlroy at the Irish Open on Thursday, leaving him eight shots back of first-round leader Daniel Im of the United States.

McIlroy registered just two birdies on the Portstewart Golf Club layout, while watching playing partners Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama combine for 12 of them.

"I don't think we're going to get this golf course much easier," McIlroy told the Golf Channel. "There were so many scoring opportunities out there, with loads of wedges into the par 4s. Four par 5s that were all very reachable, I just didn't quite get anything going. I just couldn't get any momentum."

The Northern Irishman was precise with his approach shots on Day 1, hitting 15 greens in regulation, but it was again his putter that failed him, as he needed 33 strokes in the round.

"Just need to focus on what I need to do on the greens, and I feel like I'm on the right track. It's just a matter of being patient with it," said McIlroy.

The four-time major champion claimed the event last year, and has become the tournament's host, donating his earnings from the event to his charitable foundation.

"The atmosphere has always been good, we just needed to get the stature of the tournament back to match the atmosphere it's always had, and I think we've done a good job of that."