The Open: Rory McIlroy makes lightning start on moving day at Portursh as Shane Lowry’s woes continue
The 2019 champ was 11 shots worse off today than R3 six years ago, when he hit his course record 63. However, he explained afterwards that he's fallen victim to a virus that's rampaged through his house. Add that to last night's two-shot penalty and it's been a rough 24-hours.He said: "I didn't enjoy today as much as I would have liked. Saturday at The Open in your home country, I should enjoy it a lot more than I did, just because of how I felt. Hopefully I get out tomorrow morning and try and enjoy it as best I can, try to shoot the best score I can, and then have a couple weeks off before the playoffs. For me, my big mindset for the next few months is about the Ryder Cup and trying to win that. That's where all my work is going to go towards over the next while."On the two-shot penalty: "I'm not too keen to talk on it too much. I think we said enough about it last night. Quite supportive, I would say, from the other players. They all feel bad for me that two shots is a lot to give up. Yeah, I don't really have much else to say actually."On the afternoon outlook: "There's a score out there. Tough pins, but there's a score. You can see there's a few good scores. You see Rory is off to a hot start. This golf course isn't playing easier than it is today. Firm fairways, the greens are receptive."
