McIlroy Falters as Niemann Takes Lead at Amgen Irish Open

Rory McIlroy got off to a disappointing start at the Amgen Irish Open on Thursday, finishing with a 69 in challenging wind conditions.

The defending champion bogeyed only one hole all day, but it was costly, a double bogey on the par-4 13th after his tee shot rolled into a bunker and he hit it back out into the sand.

McIlroy played alongside Brooks Koepka, who started with a triple bogey after hitting into the high grass on the opening hole and struggled to a 75. The five-time major champion had not competed in a month.

Joaquin Niemann took advantage of the tough conditions to shoot a 5-under 65 and take a two-shot lead over a group that included Shane Lowry, who played bogey-free on the back nine and saved par with a 10-foot putt on the 17th hole.