VINE: Rory McIlroy’s stone-cold putter results in a nightmare first day at the Irish Open

On his home patch this is very embarrassing

The Irish Open is underway since early this morning but Rory McIlroy is probably wishing he had slept in past his tee-time at the event being hosted in his local golf course in County Down. The 26-year-old was expected to be among the early pacesetters at the course that he has played since a very young boy. But it has all gone horribly horribly wrong for the world-number one today. The Ulsterman began with three successive pars but then bogeyed three of the next four holes to endure an horrendous start to the day. His woes continued as he completed the back nine with his approach shots leaving him in decent shape but his putter deserting him. It's actually hard to watch how frustrated McIlroy is with his near misses on several holes. As we write McIlroy is now +9 and is on course to be right at the foot of the leader-board until the remaining players get underway this afternoon. Having started the day as clear favourite, at 3/1, the Holywood native has plummeted to 100/1. Seems that promising to donate all that lovely winning prize money to a kids' charity has jinxed his weekend prospects. [Odds via Ladbrokes]