Rory McIlroy has stressed the importance of backing up his first-round 66 at the 150th Open Championship with another strong performance on Friday.
The Northern Irishman has made a habit of getting off to a fast start at Major Championships, having led the 2022 US PGA Championship after 18 holes in May and sat in a tie for second at the same stage of last month's U.S. Open Championship.
The 33-year-old was in familiar territory again at St Andrews on Thursday, as seven birdies and a single bogey saw him reach six under par and become early clubhouse leader Cameron Young's nearest challenger.
McIlroy, who is aiming to secure a fifth Major title this week - and his first since 2014 - wants to maintain his charge on day two.
He said: "I need to go out tomorrow and back up what I just did today.
"I think that's important to do. But this golf course isn't going to change that much, I don't think, between today and tomorrow in terms of conditions.
"I've seen the golf course now in tournament play and tournament conditions and know what to expect.
Opening round 66. Currently solo second ✍️#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/RPoVuYDZA0
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 14, 2022
"Tomorrow's an important run, just to go out and back up what I've done today."
McIlroy got off to a dream start on the Old Course, holing his enormous birdie putt on the first from more than 50 feet.
He then reeled off a hat-trick of birdies at the fifth, sixth and seventh to turn in 32.
The Ryder Cup star picked up another shot at the 12th but made his first bogey of the day on the 13th.
He fired a bounce-back birdie on the 14th before closing with another at the 18th to sit just two strokes behind American Young, who opened his tournament with a bogey-free 64.
McIlroy was pleased with his day's work. He said: "Fantastic start. Just what you hope will happen when you're starting off your week.
"I mean I did everything that you're supposed to do around St Andrews. I birdied the holes that are birdieable. And I made pars at the holes where you're sort of looking to make a par and move to the next tee. And didn't really put myself out of position too much.
"So overall really pleased. It's another good start at a Major. Three in a row for me now. And looking forward to the next few days.
"I came in here playing well, and I've played this golf course well over the years. So I knew if I just went out there and played my game and stuck to my game plan, that something like this was possible."
