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Rory McIlroy says he was 'stuck in neutral' after disappointing start to Irish Open

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy has fallen eight shots behind the leader in the first round of the Irish Open on the European tour.

Coming into the event, McIlory was believed to be the hot favourite, but fell behind Australian Lucas Herbert who leads after Day One.

The former world No. 1 started the day with three bogeys and just one birdie on his first nine to eventually go out in two-over-par, but would rally back to finish on evens.

"It is one of the those days, you can't really happened, I was stuck in neutral for most of the day," McIlory said to the European tour's website.