McIlroy: It was scrappy

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Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia battled through a tough opening day of the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

Great things were expected from the European duo in Scotland. Despite being ranked number one and three in the world, they lost their morning fourball match to Phil Mickleson and Keegan Bradley.

Time after the time, they were hitting out of dodgy lies in the rough and scrambling from the bunkers. It was much of the same in the afternoon session against Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker, but the pair manged a birdie-birdie finish to halve the match.

“I felt like we played decent golf,” McIlroy told Golf Digest.

“It was a little scrappy at times but we fought until the end. I’m obviously disappointed that neither of us made birdie at the last.”

After a disappointing day, the half was almost as good as a victory for the Northern Irishman.

“Yes, we needed it,” added the 25-year-old.

“We were making life difficult. But we battled for 36-holes out there today. I’m just glad we were able to contribute. I didn’t feel like we should have lost this morning. But this feels like a mini-victory for us.

“Neither of us played from the fairway much. Three under for the last three holes is good though. We wanted to ask them the question and at least get them down 18, which we did. At least we got something from the day.”

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