Rory McIlroy endures poor start to Irish Open

Rory McIlroy has made a poor start in his attempt to win his first Irish Open title.

The world number two has endured a poor 2013 and that form continued at Carton House on a rainy morning in County Kildare.

McIlroy bogeyed two out of his opening three holes of the tournament, before responding with a birdie at the next.

The two-time Major winner recorded another dropped shot to go to the turn at two-over and couldn't find any improvement during his final nine holes.

He made seven pars in succession and ended his round with bogey and a birdie respectively to go to the clubhouse with a 74.