By Richard O'Reilly
Rory McIlroy has it all to do in day 2 of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open after a level par round of 72.
The world number 4 struggled to make putts in a frustrating day where birdies came at a premium for him. The Northern Irishman said it was simply 'one of those days' were things didn't quite click for him.McIlroy sits 8 shots of the lead.
The lead is held by a surprise pair of American Daniel Im and Frenchman Benjamin Herbert. The pair are ranked 542 and 254 respectively. The little-known duo hit rounds of 64 leaving them 8 under par.
Rory McIlroy speaks to the media following his level par opening round at the #IrishOpen2017 @PortstewartGC pic.twitter.com/VggqYl1gTt
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) 6 July 2017
The biggest name towards in the top of the leaderboard is arguably 22 year old Jon Rahm. Rahm sits on -7 following a round of 65 and the young Spaniard said he it was a round which just came together for him. Rahm says his solid putting at the start translated to better shots with longer clubs.
#IrishOpen2017 day 2 tees off in under an hour. Until then, here's Jon Rahm speaking after yesterday's round. He's -7, one shot off the lead pic.twitter.com/HJ9GxDHwlj
— Richard O'Reilly (@RM_oreilly) 7 July 2017
It was a decent day's work for Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, who is only 3 shots off the lead. The Portrush man, who is no stranger to the course will hope to be in contention at the end of play on Friday.
Justin Rose will be confident of threatening a climb up the leaderboard. The former US Open winner posted a respectabel round of 67, leaving him tied with McDowell at -5.
Irish pair Paul Dunne and Gavin Moynahan are also on -5, while Michael Hoey, Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington are a shot behind that on -4.
17,763 attended day one of #IrishOpen2017 @PortstewartGC pic.twitter.com/XgSjfMyMmv
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) 6 July 2017