Rory McIlroy dominates in opening round of ISPS Handa World Invitational as Fitzpatrick makes a play for Tour Championship, while Irish players struggle
Rory McIlroy kicked off the ISPS Handa World Invitational with a strong start, showcasing his dominance in the opening round. McIlroy’s well-crafted round of golf earned him a bogey-free 65, setting him up for success in the $20 million tournament. With his sights set on the FedEx Cup, McIlroy used his driver as a powerful weapon, finding success even when hitting from the rough. Although he only hit four fairways, McIlroy’s short clubs proved effective as he consistently landed his approaches onto the greens. His final act of the round was a six-foot par putt, solidifying his position as the clubhouse leader.
Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick, who had been on the outside looking in for a spot at the Tour Championship, made a significant move in his bid to join the finale. With an impressive four-under-par 66, Fitzpatrick shot himself into a share of the clubhouse lead alongside Sahith Theegala. Taking advantage of the soft and receptive greens, Fitzpatrick showed confidence from tee to green and expressed his satisfaction with his performance. Improved driving has been a focus for Fitzpatrick, who acknowledged its importance in his game and its impact on his overall success.
In contrast, the Irish players struggled in the opening round of the ISPS Handa World Invitational. The tournament, which is tri-sanctioned by the DP World Tour for the men and both the LPGA Tour and LET for the women, proved challenging for the players from Ireland. Leona Maguire, the highest-ranked Irish player in the field, finished the round tied for 33rd after shooting a level par 73. Stephanie Meadow had a slower start with a 74.
At the women’s tournament, held at Castlerock, four players emerged as leaders with opening 69s: Kim Metraux of Switzerland, Gabriella Cowley of England, Elinor Sudow of Sweden, and Karis Davidson of Australia. Castlerock seemed to offer the easier scoring conditions on the first day.
As for the men’s tournament, which was played simultaneously over the same courses for the first two rounds, England’s Dan Brown took advantage of favorable weather conditions at Castlerock, shooting an impressive seven-under-par 64. This put him two strokes ahead of a group of players that included Alex Fitzpatrick, brother of Matt Fitzpatrick.
Unfortunately, it was a disappointing day for the 11 Irish players in the field. Jonathan Caldwell fared the best among the Irish contingent, finishing with a level par 71 and tied for 43rd. Tom McKibbin, winner of the European Open earlier in the summer, struggled with a 78 at Galgorm Castle, making it challenging for him to make the cut.
Overall, the opening round of the ISPS Handa World Invitational showcased some exceptional performances from Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick, while the Irish players faced difficulties. As the tournament continues, it will be interesting to see if McIlroy can maintain his dominance and if the Irish players can rally and regain their form.
