Rory McIlroy finished the first round of the Irish Open with a three-under 68, placing him just two strokes behind leader Todd Clements, who carded a 66. Competing at Royal County Down for the first time since 2019, McIlroy showcased resilience by birdieing his last three holes after facing challenges with bogeys on Nos. 14 and 15. The challenging weather conditions, including tough winds and rain, tested the players, with Sami Valimaki and Alejandro Del Rey also performing well, finishing at four-under par. McIlroy, ranked third in the world, expressed satisfaction with his performance and acknowledged the pressures of playing in front of a home crowd. He aims to win this tournament again, having previously triumphed eight years ago. Other notable performances included Shane Lowry, who ended the day at one-over par.