McIlroy calls for ‘common sense’ after slow play

Stimpmeter · September 5, 2025, 5:45am

Rory McIlroy has called on rules officials to use “common sense” after his group was given a slow play warning during the first round of the Irish Open on Thursday.

McIlroy, playing alongside South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan, was visibly frustrated after the warning at the K Club. The world No 2 finished the day five shots off the pace.

Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen, France’s Romain Langasque and Spain’s Ignacio Elvira shared the lead after carding six-under 66s.

South Africa’s Zander Lombard was five under through 17.

“In all honesty I felt a little rushed out there for the last 12 holes,” said McIlroy, a five-time Major winner. “We got put on the clock pretty early, and then the first official went away and then we were put on the clock for the last three holes to try to make time up.”

McIlroy was not helped by the struggles of Lawrence, who posted an 81, and Reitan, who signed for a 77. Both found the water at the par-four 7th.

“I felt like I played better than what the score reflects,” McIlroy said. “I hit the ball well, I drove the ball well, just had that disappointing finish, bogeying two of the last three holes.”

England’s Daniel Brown, Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger and France’s Adrien Saddier each carded 67s.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry, a fellow Ryder Cup player, made three birdies in his last six holes to remain in touch with a three-under 69 at the 7,441-yard K Club course, where par is 72.

Five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka matched McIlroy’s one-under 71.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald endured a tough day, signing for a five-over 77.

Five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka matched McIlroy’s 71.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald finished his first round with a five-over par 77.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

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