McIlroy feeling lost after former world No 1 falls seven shots off the lead at Irish Open

By MIKE DAWES

Published: 12:03 EDT, 27 June 2013 | Updated: 12:06 EDT, 27 June 2013

Rory McIlroy's bid for a first win of the season looked like being washed away on a miserable morning for the former world No 1 in the Irish Open.

McIlroy won five times last year, including his second major title in the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, but has struggled to reproduce that form in 2013.

The 24-year-old finished 41st in the US Open at Merion a fortnight ago and apologised for throwing a club and bending his nine iron out of shape during a final round of 76.

Washed away: Rory McIlroy's bid to win his first win this season appears in doubt after a troubled opening round

The nine iron - one of the Nike clubs he controversially changed to in a multi-million pound deal in January - has since gained a new shaft, but that did little to improve his fortunes as he carded an opening 74 at Carton House.

Starting from the 10th, the world No 2 bogeyed the 11th and 12th before hitting back with a birdie on the short par-four 13th, but then dropped another shot on the 18th after a poor drive and equally poor pitch.

As the light rain which had been falling for most of the day intensified, McIlroy missed from 15ft for a birdie on the par-five fourth and then three-putted the par-five eighth from long range.

A birdie on the last came as welcome relief, but at two over par McIlroy was seven shots off the lead held by former champion and playing partner Shane Lowry, while the third member of the group - 2006 winner Thomas Bjorn - was just a shot behind after a 68.

Centre of attention: But McIlroy has struggled with his form this year and has failed to win a tournament

Lowry, who was still an amateur when he won at County Louth in 2009, had bogeyed the opening hole but hit back with a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th and picked up another shot at the 18th to be out in 33. He also birdied the fourth and eighth before a par on the last completed a round of 67 at the venue he represents on the European Tour and where he owns a house.

McIlroy cut a disconsolate figure after the round, admitting to feeling 'a little lost at the moment' and unsure of whether his bad shots are going to go left or right.

'No aspects of my game are standing out as strong,' he said. 'I'm hitting it well on the range and struggling hitting shots out on the course. The game is not coming as easy to me as it did last year.

Leading the way: Shane Lowry is seven shots clear of McIlroy in Ireland

'Off the tee I'm missing it left and right and it's difficult when you stand on the tee and don't know that one side is basically out of play. I don't know if it's a case of playing through it or grinding it out on the range.'

McIlroy's mood was in sharp contrast to that of Paul Casey, who carded a 68 to join Bjorn, Andrew Dodt and Cian McNamara in second place. Casey was ranked third in the world in 2009 but is currently 169th after struggling with form and fitness, most notably in 2012 after breaking his collarbone while snowboarding.

'It was really good,' Casey said of a round containing six birdies and two bogeys. 'The greens were superb this morning and I took advantage, although I was kicking myself at not making birdie on the 18th and dropping a shot on the first.

'It feels like I threw away two shots there but overall today was great.'