Irish Open: Rory McIlroy seven shots behind leader Shane Lowry Rory McIlroy posted a disappointing opening round of two-over-par 74 to lie seven shots behind clubhouse leader Shane Lowry at the Irish Open. McIlroy's indifferent form continued as he carded two birdies and four bogeys. Lowry, who won the tournament as an amateur in 2009, began with a bogey at the 10th hole but followed that up with six birdies to move into the lead. The Irishman enjoys a one-shot lead over compatriot Cian McNamara, Andrew Dodt, Paul Casey and Thomas Bjorn. Bjorn won the Irish Open when it was last played at Carton House in 2006 while Casey is attempting to recapture the form which took him to a career-best world ranking of three four years ago. The pair are joined on four under par by surprise packages, Australian Dodt and McNamara. McIlroy won five times last year, including his second major title in the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, but has struggled to reproduce that form in 2013. The 24-year-old finished 41st in the US Open at Merion a fortnight ago and on Wednesday apologised for throwing a club and bending his nine iron out of shape during a final round of 76. Starting from the 10th, world number two McIlroy bogeyed the 11th and 12th before hitting back with a birdie on the short par-four 13th, but then dropped another shot on the 18th after a poor drive and equally poor pitch. As the light rain which had been falling for most of the day intensified, McIlroy missed from 15 foot for a birdie on the par-five fourth and then three-putted the par-five eighth from long range. A birdie on the last came as welcome relief but the two-time major champion still admitted to feeling "a little lost" after his round. European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley is well placed on two under, with Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin, who secured qualification for the Open Championship earlier this week, on one under. Former major winners Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington are among the afternoon starters, along with defending champion Jamie Donaldson.