McIlroy acknowledges applause during his first round at Baltray

Rory McIlroy hit an opening three-under-par 69 at the 3 Irish Open which left him six behind Francesco Molinari.

McIlroy outscored playing partner and Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie by one shot, a day after dubbing the biennial match as an "exhibition".

Michael Hoey and Darren Clarke both shot 71 on the opening day at Baltray.

Gareth Maybin and Barrie Trainor carded 73s, Michael McGeady hit a 75, Jonathan Caldwell fired a 76 while Graeme McDowell crashed to a dreadful 77.

Amateur Shane Lowry was the best of the Irish after a superb 67 while Damien McGrane joined McIlroy on 69.

Italian Molinari shot a course-record 63 late in the day to take a one-shot lead over Sweden's Johan Edfors, who had equalled the previous mark 40 minutes earlier.

606: DEBATE Shame on you Rory, coming out with that just before you accompany Monty for two rounds in the Irish Open Potty Trained

Jamie Donaldson, Nick Dougherty, Roope Kakko, Shiv Kapur, Paul Lawrie and Robert Rock and Oliver Wilson were three shots behind the leader on a day of impressive scoring at the County Louth links.

There was rain during much of the morning and afternoon but it only served to soften up the greens on a day of virtually no wind.

After completing his opening round, McIlroy refused to back down on his controversial comments about the Ryder Cup on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old said he did not regret his remarks.

"No, I don't," insisted McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman said that his Ryder Cup comments were not brought up by Montgomerie during Thursday's round.

"I just asked Monty about his three (Ryder Cup) picks, nothing was said," added McIlroy.

That was as easy a morning as we could have expected Graeme McDowell after his 77

"At the end of the day it's (the Ryder Cup) a great event, probably the best spectacle in golf. But sometimes it's been taken a little too seriously.

"If I get into the team it will be massive and I'll enjoy it."

McIlroy had two early bogeys but four birdies in his closing eight holes enabled him to break 70.

"I didn't play that well at the start but I got round and then I was able to get away with it," added McIlroy.

After starting at the 10th, Darren Clarke was two over after nine but a chip-in from 30 yards for an eagle at the third and a closing birdie enabled the Dungannon man to post a 71.

However, Graeme McDowell had only France's Gregory Bourdy and Australian amateur Scott Arnold behind him in the 156-strong field after firing a dreadful 77.

McDowell dropped five shots in his opening seven holes after starting at the 10th and things got little better on the back nine.

Darren Clarke watches his tee shot at the 15th at Baltray

The Portrush man made no excuses after his round.

"That was as easy a morning as we could have expected," acknowledged McDowell.

"The golf course was there for the taking."

Paul McGinley shot a 71 while Padraig Harrington struggled despite the calm conditions and bogeyed the last after losing a ball to card a 73.

Gary Murphy shot a 70 while Eamon Brady joined Clarke, Hoey and McGinley on 71.

European Senior Tour player Des Smyth shot a 72, which was matched by Noel Fox and Peter Lawrie.

John Kelly joined Harrington, Maybin and Warrenpoint native Barrie Trainor on 73 while 1995 Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton shot a 74.

Damian Mooney, Simon Thornton and amateur Eoin Arthurs joined Caldwell on 76 while John Dwyer hit a 77.

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