Irish Open, first round leaderboard
-5 J Niemann (Chile); -3 S Lowry (Ire), S Norris (SA), A Meronk (Pol, 15*), M Steinlechner (Austria, 13*), R Paratore (Ita, 12*); -2 K Kobori, (NZ), R Cabrera (Spa), T McKibbin (NI), P Reed (US), C Syme (Sco), N Noergaard (Den), F Lacroix (Fra), J Skov Olesen (Den, 17*), R Langasque (Fra, 16*), D Law (Sco, 12*)
Selected others: -1 E Ferguson (Sco), A Sullivan (Eng), N Hoejgaard (Den), R McIlroy (NI); Level J Rahm (Spa); +1 P Harrington (Ire); +2 R MacIntyre (Sco); +3 L Donald (Eng); +5 S Garcia (Spa), B Koepka (US); +8 T Hatton (Eng)
*denotes number of holes played in uncompleted rounds
Rory McIlroy sits four shots behind leader Joaquin Niemann after a blustery day one at the Irish Open at Doonbeg.
McIlroy carded a one-under-par 69 despite the high winds and sporadic showers which battered the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in County Clare.
The world number two posted birdies at the second and fourth holes, double-bogeyed the 13th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker, but then picked up a shot at the 15th.
Back-to-back Masters champion McIlroy is aiming to defend the title he won at the K Club last year and secure a third Irish Open crown of his career, having triumphed at the same venue in 2016.
A victory this week would see him draw level with European greats Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie on three Irish Open successes.
A run of four consecutive birdies between the 14th and 17th helped Chilean Niemann assume his position at the top of the leaderboard.
The LIV golfer shot six birdies in total, with just a single dropped shot, to hold a two-shot lead over a group of five players, including Ireland’s Shane Lowry and South African Shaun Norris, who both completed their first rounds.
Italian Renato Panatore, Maximilian Steinlechner of Austria, and Pole Adrian Meronk are also on three under but are among a number of players who must return to finish their opening 18 holes on Friday morning after fading light brought a halt to proceedings on Thursday evening.
Play was slow throughout the day as the inclement weather posed significant challenges for the later starters in particular.
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, who was three under for his first four holes, Scot Conor Syme and Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed are among those on two under.
Two-time Irish Open champion Jon Rahm was left to rue an unproductive day on the greens as he shot a level-par 70.
Robert MacIntyre lies two over, with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia three further back on five under, and European Ryder Cup player Tyrrell Hatton eight over.
Koepka’s cause was not aided by a triple bogey at the first, quickly followed by a dropped shot at the second and he will require an improved round on Friday if he is to avoid a second successive missed cut at the event.