Amgen Irish Open - Day one digest

Brothers briefly shared the lead and Rory McIlroy put on a show from the sand on day one of the 2025 Amgen Irish Open.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday's play at the K Club.

Finish with a flourish

Nacho Elvira held the solo lead for much of the day at six under par, having birdied four of his final six holes in a bogey-free 66. He was joined late in the afternoon by first Thorbjørn Olesen, whose birdies at the final two holes were his seventh and eighth in a round which started unpromisingly with - by his own admission - "a full duffed five-iron straight in the water" for double-bogey at the third, and then Romain Langasque after the Frenchman also finished with a birdie. Asked what he had done to put himself in contention, Elvira joked: "Hit it straight! I haven't been able to hit it very straight lately. When my iron play is very solid, when I'm on the fairway, I manage to score."

Sibling rivalry

Long-time clubhouse leader Nacho Elvira was joined at the summit by his younger brother after Manuel Elvira moved to six under par with successive birdies at the first and second to start his inward nine. Manuel ended the day back at four under but in the week that Rasmus Højgaard replaced twin brother Nicolai in the only change from Europe's 2023 Ryder Cup team, could we have another pair of siblings battling for glory?

McIlroy magic

Rory McIlroy, who donned his Masters Green Jacket for a question-and-answer session after his round, was one under par but produced some highlights for the Irish crowd - particularly after his excursions to greenside bunkers...

Lowry locked in

McIlroy was not the only Irish favourite on show, and Shane Lowry was in the mix at three under after a solid first round. The 2019 Open Champion, and winner of this event as an amateur in 2009, sang the praises of his new Srixon driver but was impressive from closer range as well...