Rory McIlroy starts slowly at Australian Open but proves he is the headline act
Rory McIlroy is the major drawcard at this year's Australian Open. (AAP: James Ross)
In short:
Rory McIlroy is making the first of two consecutive Australian Open appearances in Melbourne.
The five-time major winner shot a 1-over-par 72 at Royal Melbourne.
Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee both carded 2-under 69.
Not even a 5am wake-up call was going to stop John and Kayleen Potter from driving more than 100 kilometres to watch the first round of the Australian Open.
From their home in Jan Juc on Victoria's Surf Coast, it took John and Kayleen two and half hours to reach Royal Melbourne Golf Club, nestled in the bayside suburb of Black Rock.
They were among a massive day-one crowd converging on Royal Melbourne, many of whom were there to see reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy.
"We're both crazy golf fans and enjoy the atmosphere," said John, as he and Kayleen followed McIlroy around the internationally acclaimed Sandbelt course.
"We're happy to follow anyone but clearly Rory is the big drawcard."
Attracting McIlroy is a feather in the cap for Australian Open organisers, with the Northern Irishman locked in to play again next year when the tournament is hosted by Melbourne's Kingston Heath.
Rory McIlroy was a magnet for spectators in the first round at Royal Melbourne. (AAP: James Ross)
The return on investment will be considerable in financial terms, with one-day passes for this weekend's third and fourth rounds sold out.
Teaming McIlroy up with star Australians Min Woo Lee and Adam Scott was another inspired move, even though their 7:05am tee time initially did not appear to be spectator friendly.
The gallery following McIlroy, Lee and Scott, though, was bursting at the seams.
Cameron Smith could be seen sneaking an envious look at the crowd numbers as he waited for the trio to tee off before beginning his tournament in the following group.
"Some crowds, for seven o'clock in the morning," McIlroy exclaimed to reporters after carding a 1-over-par 72 in the first round.
"It was great. A wonderful atmosphere to play in, obviously playing with Adam and Min Woo. It was unbelievable.
"It was really cool to see how many people were lining the fairways."
'Very tricky' conditions
McIlroy, who completed a career grand slam with his Masters victory in April, experienced mixed fortunes in his opening round, balancing five birdies with six bogeys.
Starting on the par-four 10th hole, he began his campaign for the Stonehaven Cup in superb fashion, draining a monster putt to post his opening birdie.
But a bogey followed on the 11th hole and the five-time major champion struggled to find any rhythm for the remainder of his round, although Melbourne's fickle weather did not help his cause.
Strong winds presented challenges for all the morning tee-time groups, with 2013 Australian Open champion McIlroy describing Thursday's conditions as "very tricky".
"The greens are getting firm," said McIlroy, who was also forced to battle hay fever in the first round.
"It was a good thing they didn't cut them today because it would have been unplayable.
"I felt I could have at least shot under par [71] and something in the 60s. But it doesn't look like anyone is going to get too far away.
"I limited the damage and hopefully the conditions are a little better over the next few days and I can make a run."
Scott and Lee fared better, both producing rounds of 2-under 69, although they agreed with McIlroy the conditions were unfavourable.
Australia's sole Masters winner back in 2013, Scott felt the blustery winds at Royal Melbourne were among the "most challenging" he had encountered during his professional career.
"Hitting in the crosswind, it's so hard to pitch it on your number and then control it on the green," Scott said.
"It is [a case] of adjusting on the fly."
Adam Scott began the Australian Open with a 2-under 69. (AAP: James Ross)
Scott and Lee are four shots shy of up-and-coming Australian Elvis Smylie, who shares the lead with New Zealand's Ryan Fox and Mexican Carlos Ortiz after the first round.
The sense of occasion — created by playing alongside world number two McIlroy — was not lost on Lee, who described the morning as "unbelievable".
"It was amazing," Lee said.
"Obviously he pulls the crowds and it was really fun.
"He's one of the nicer blokes out here and it's good to play with someone who is easy going."
McIlory's popularity with his fellow professionals was clearly matched by the enthusiasm shown by the hordes of spectators who arrived at Royal Melbourne well before gates opened to the public.
For golf fans like John and Kayleen Potter, the opportunity to see McIlroy play was well worth setting an early alarm.
"He's chosen to come here," John said.
"From an Aussie golf perspective, that's pretty damn good. So you want to come and watch him."