Rory McIlroy survives windy opening round, four back of Joaquin Niemann at Irish Open

Round 1 at the Amgen Irish Open was a battle of man versus nature. Rainy, blustery conditions assailed golfers at Doonberg on Thursday, with gusts exceeding 30 mph at times. Sights of players abbreviating follow-throughs, bracing against the battering wind, running to mark balls on the exposed, undulated greens, and repeatedly donning and removing rain gear abounded on the seaside links. The severe conditions slowed down play, making it a long day.

Rory McIlroy salvaged a 1-under 69, and sits four off the lead.

McIlroy commented on the glacial pace of play, “This course isn’t conducive to letting you get into a flow, especially the first two days with so many people in the field, there was a lot of stopping and starting. When you’re playing a round of golf and it takes six hours it’s hard to get into the rhythm of things. But felt like I did a good job.”

McIlroy had a clean card, except for a double bogey on the par-4 13th hole, where he took two to get out of the left fairway bunker.

“After making the double bogey on 13, I was just trying to get those two shots back by the end of the day," McIlroy said. "I didn’t quite do that, but I think finishing under par for the day was a reasonable effort.”

Joaquin Niemann navigated the extreme conditions better than anyone, finishing with four birdies in his last five holes, leading the way at 5-under 65.

Just as the last light was fading over Doonberg, Shane Lowry finished at 67. Lowry was pleased with his performance, but also noted the pace of play: "I honestly didn't think we were going to get finished. That's probably the longest round of golf I ever played, in a three ball anyway. I'm happy with my score. "

Nineteen players were still yet to finish as the horn blew and play was suspended due to darkness. They will resume in the morning restart at 6:15 a.m. (IST) local time.

Padraig Harrington, making his record 31^st consecutive Irish Open start, finished with a 71.

Patrick Reed, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour this season, sits three back at 2 under.

Defending champion McIlroy will go out at 9:30 a.m. local time Friday.

“I hung in there," McIlroy said of his opening performance, "and at least don't feel like I'm out of the tournament. A good day tomorrow gets me right back in it.”