Irish Open: Rory McIlroy starts well but fades as historic tournament attracts record attendance Courtesy of Wozniacki's front-row seat, from which she enjoyed the occasional chat with her man, she watched McIlroy play the first 15 holes in four-under and then trudge in with three fives for a two-under total. "There was incredible support out there and it would have would nicer to post a better score for them," said McIlroy. Hopefully, I can go out early in the morning and pull the shots back. If it's like this it's possible to shoot a low number around there. McIlroy's mixed-bag of a round mirrored the weather, which veered from rain, wind, thunder and then sun. The greens were receptive and the 90-minute delay for the lightning favoured McIlroy as he went off in the worse of the conditions and came back on in the best of them. When he holed a 25-footer on the seventh and birdied the 14th, he seemed about to challenge for the lead, but his drive started leaking and his putting started creaking and the moment as lost. The 23-year-old admitted "that was one that got away"; yet he was a long way from despondent. McIlroy, having missed four of his last cuts, is still rebuilding his confidence, but the control he showed until the denouement should leave nobody in any doubt that a charge is more than possible when he resumes at 7.50am this morning. Padraig Harrington fared best out of the four Irish major-winners who have driven the atmosphere levels in Co Antrim to a frenzy. The Dubliner's 67 was highlighted by an outrageous chip-in on the eighth. Harrington would have been delighted to put it in within 10 feet, but on the links you have to take the breaks when they arrive. McIlroy acknowledged the same after his impossible-looking approach from the thick rough on the 15th not only found the green but dared to spin back. "I was just trying to get it to 30 yards of the green on the left, but it squirted right, " McIlroy said, with a laugh. He really does seem as if is again treating those twin impostors if not quite the same, then with the required modicum of acceptance. After being two over after nine, Darren Clarke hinted that his form might be returning with three birdies coming in for a one-under 71, the same mark as Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion. All still to play for then at a venue where the brilliance of the course is the only aspect rivalling the enthusiasm of the spectators.