McIlroy to emerge from his slumber

A jet-lagged Rory McIlroy threatened to blow away the field after closing with a tap-in birdie for a first-round 69 at the Australian Open on Thursday.

After waking at 4.30am, the world No.1 laboured most of the morning before emerging from his slumber to finish in style to be well in the hunt at two-under-par for the championship.

Ominously for his rivals, McIlroy promised a much-improved second-round showing on Friday after a better night’s sleep.

“Even though I didn’t feel like I played that good today, anything in the 60s is a pretty good score I think,” said the Northern Irishman, who only arrived in Sydney from Dubai on Monday night.

“It puts me right there for going into tomorrow. I definitely feel like there’s a better score out there.

“I gave myself a lot of chances early on in the round and didn’t really take them. I just know I can play better.

“So I feel, if I’m on my game, I can get it going and shoot something in the low to mid 60s.”

A low round in the 60s – or a 65 like he posted in the second round last year – would likely leave the tournament at McIlroy’s mercy.

McIlroy also opened with a 69 last year, albeit on the par-72 layout at Royal Sydney as opposed to the par-71 at The Australian, and ended up beating Adam Scott to the Stonehaven Cup by a shot at 18 under.

“I didn’t play a great first round last year but I think I played a good second round,” McIlroy said.

“Again, golf tournaments are long. It’s 72 holes and all you want to do is give yourself a chance going into Sunday.

“I’m in a good position to do that right now and hopefully I play well over the next couple of days and I’m right in there with a chance on the final day.”

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