about 5 hours ago

Rory McIlroy’s Irish Open Debut at 16 Showed Early Glimpses of Greatness

At Carton House in 2005, 16-year-old McIlroy impressed with a one-under 71 in round one, just three shots off the lead against stars like Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie. A second-round 81 saw him miss the cut, but he relished the moment: “It’s a great honor… I like the spotlight on me. I like it.”