Irish Open: Rory McIlroy four behind leader Joaquin Niemann at Irish Open

Irish Open, first round leaderboard

-5 J. Niemann (Chile); -3 S. Lowry (Ireland), S. Norris (South Africa), A. Meronk (Poland, 15*), M. Steinlechner (Austria, 13*), R. Paratore (Ita, 12*); -2 K. Kobori, (New Zealand), R. Cabrera (Spain), T. McKibbin (New York), P. Reid (USA), K. Syme (Scotland), N. Noergaard (Denmark), F. Lacroix (France), J. Skov Olesen (Denmark, 17*), R. Langask (Fra, 16*), D. Lowe (Scotland, 12*)

Selected others: -1 E. Ferguson (Scotland), A. Sullivan (England), N. Hoygaard (Denmark), R. McIlroy (New York); Level J. Ram (Spain); +1 P. Harrington (Ire); +2 R. McIntyre (Scotland); +3 L. Donald (England); +5 S. Garcia (Spain), B. Koepka (USA); +8 T. Hutton (Eng)

*denotes the number of holes played in unfinished rounds

Full leaderboard

Rory McIlroy is four shots behind leader Joaquin Niemann after a wild first day at the Irish Open at Doonbeg.

McIlroy shot a one-under-par 69 despite strong winds and sporadic downpours hitting the Trump International Golf Club and hotel in County Clare.

The world number two made birdies on the second and fourth holes, bogeyed twice on the 13th, making two shots to clear the bunker, but then birdied the 15th.

Regular Masters champion McIlroy is aiming to defend the title he won at the K Club last year and secure the third Irish Open crown of his career with victory at the same venue in 2016.

A win this week would take him level with European greats Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie with three Irish Open successes.

A run of four straight birdies between 14th and 17th placed Chilean Niemann at the top of the leaderboard.

The LIV golfer made a total of six birdies from just one shot and held a two-stroke lead over a group of five players including Irishman Shane Lowry and South African Sean Norris, who both completed their opening rounds.

Italian Renato Panatore, Austria’s Maximilian Steinlechner and Poland’s Adrian Meronk are also three under but are among the players expected to return to complete their first 18 holes on Friday morning after fading light stopped play on Thursday evening.

Play was slow throughout the day as inclement weather caused significant problems, especially for those starting later.

Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, who was three under through the first four holes, Scotsman Conor Syme and Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed are among those on two under.

Two-time Irish Open champion Jon Rahm was left to rue an unproductive day on the greens as he shot a par 70.

Robert McIntyre is two ahead, five-time major winner Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia are three behind at five under and European Ryder Cup player Tyrrell Hatton is eight over.

Koepka’s case was not helped by a triple bogey in the first round, quickly followed by a poor putt in the second, and he will need an improved round on Friday if he is to avoid a second straight miss of the tournament.