Rory McIlroy suffered a horrific opened round at the Irish Open as he finished at the bottom of the morning starters during the first round.

The World number one shot nine pars and nine bogeys and is now in serious danger of missing the weekend cut.

Starting on the tenth, McIlroy bogeyed the 11th before four straight bogeys from the 15th threw his round into disarray.

He started the tougher front better, as conditions briefly improved before four further bogeys, consigned him to signing for an 80.

His playing partners had mixed results at the Royal County Down course.

Rickie Fowler started with a birdie on the par three 10th and finished his round on level par, just two shots behind the early leaders. US Open champion Martin Kaymer had the same fate as McIlroy, finishing his round on +8. His round included two double bogeys on 14 and 18.

Danny Willett, Soren Kjeldson and Emiliano Grillo were the early leaders, all finishing their morning rounds on -2.

Michael Hoey was best of the Irish from this mornings starters, He finished his first round on level par after shooting a 71.

Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell lie a shot further back.