Rory McIlroy watches his drive at the 15th at Carnoustie

The 18-year-old from Holywood is three shots behind leader Sergio Garcia after a bogey-free round while Paul McGinley was the best of the Irish with a 67.

Padraig Harrington also impressed with a 69 while Darren Clarke recovered from a poor start to card a 72.

Graeme McDowell had a disappointing 77, Justin Kehoe finished seven over and David Higgins struggled to a 79.

Interview: Rory McIllroy

McIlroy birdied the fifth, 10th and 13th holes as he brought his amateur form into his first round in a major.

Indeed, McIlroy could have been further up the leaderboard but he missed short birdie putts at 14 and 15.

Dungannon player Clarke dropped four shots over the first six holes, including a double-bogey six at the fifth.

But the Ryder Cup star got shots back with birdies at the seventh, 11th and 14th holes to sign for a one-over-par round.

Dubliner McGinley led for most of the day before Spain's Sergio Garcia established a two-shot lead on six under after 15.