Rory McIlroy keeps cool head as he banishes ghosts of past with Masters champ continuing hot streak at The Open

RORY McILROY was relieved to stay in Open contention after a rollercoaster first round in front of a huge home crowd.

The Northern Irish hero, who hit just TWO fairways, crumbled under similar pressure when the event was last held at Royal Portrush in 2019.

GettyRory McIlroy banished the ghosts of his past with a calm performance at The Open[/caption]

Then, he started with a 79 and missed the cut.

Yesterday, the Masters champion survived a wobble to end just three shots off the lead after a day when he was wayward off the tee but hot on the greens.

McIlroy, who salvaged a one-under-par 70 after being three under at one stage, said: “The crowd were absolutely incredible. I felt the support of an entire country.

“That’s a great position to be in but at the same time it brings some added pressure because I didn’t want to let them down.

“I dealt with that pressure pretty well – I certainly dealt with it better than I did six years ago!

“I am happy to give myself a good start and get myself into the tournament.

“I’m surprised four-under is leading, a thought someone would go out and shoot six or seven under

“I knew what to expect, it wasn’t new to me playing at an Open at home, and that experience definitely helped.

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“I didn’t feel I was walking into the unknown, unlike last time when I hadn’t experienced this before.”

McIlroy sank a crucial 12-foot putt for par on the 15th, having carded three bogeys in the previous four holes – before a birdie on 17 left him under par for the round.

He said: “That par putt on 15 was a big one having bogeyed three of the last four.

“That was a huge putt, it kept whatever momentum I had and then to go one under for the final three was pleasing.

“The wind picked up a bit on the back nine and that made it more difficult.

“It was a tough day, spending a lot of time in the rough and fairway bunkers, so to shoot under par is a bonus.”

McIlroy’s rival Bryson DeChambeau faces missing the cut after a 78.