'Frustrated' McIlroy fades to a 71 on return to Irish Open

STRAFFAN, Ireland (AP) — Rory McIlroy bogeyed two of his last three holes and faded Thursday to a 1-under 71 in the first round of the Irish Open, during which he felt “frustrated” after his group was put on the clock for slow play.

The world No. 2, who attracted the biggest galleries of the day at The K Club, was looking to sharpen up his game a few weeks out from the Ryder Cup in Bethpage Black, where the Northern Irishman is expected to be Europe’s key player once again.

McIlroy said he was encouraged at how he played — he birdied four of his first nine holes after starting at No. 10 — and performed “better than what the score reflects.” His finish hurt him most, missing the green at Nos. 7 and 8 and failing to get up and down for par.

“Game feels pretty good,” McIlroy said, adding: “Just a matter of being more efficient with the scoring.”

He later revealed his group — also containing Kristoffer Reitan and Thriston Lawrence — was put on the clock early and late in his round and called on rules officials to use “common sense," given the commotion that naturally follows him around.

“Our group has to deal with a lot more than any other group on the course,” he said in a nod to his popularity. "It's understandable we lose time and I feel like any time I either come back to Europe or I play in some of these like Nos. 1, 2 and 3-in-the-world-type groups, we’re always put on the clock for that reason.

“I got a little frustrated the last few holes.”

McIlroy, who was in Northern Ireland in July for the British Open at Royal Portrush, was five strokes off the clubhouse lead held by three players — Nacho Elvira, whose 66 was bogey-free, as well as Thorbjorn Olesen and Romain Langasque.

They were one shot ahead of Bernd Wiesberger, Daniel Brown and Adrien Saddier. Zander Lombard was also in that group on 5-under par but was one of seven people on the course when play was suspended.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry, another member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team, was playing in front of his home crowd and birdied three of his last six holes to shoot 69.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Rory McIlroy reacts to a missed putt on the ninth green during the Irish Open golf tournament, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at The K Club in Staffan, Ireland. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP)

Mikael Lindberg, of Sweden, hits a shot during the Irish Open golf tournament, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at The K Club in Staffan, Ireland. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP)

Nacho Elvira, of Spain, waves after a putt during the Irish Open golf tournament, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at The K Club in Staffan, Ireland. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP)

Rory McIlroy walks the course between fans during the Irish Open golf tournament, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at The K Club in Staffan, Ireland. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP)

Rory McIlroy looks over a green during the Irish Open golf tournament, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at The K Club in Staffan, Ireland. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — It was only a matter of time before Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood hit a grand slam.

But an inside-the-park shot, like the one Wood smashed in Tuesday’s 9-6 victory over the New York Mets?

“I didn’t think it would be like this,” Wood said. “That was a fun way to get it.”

Down 5-0, the Nationals loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning against Mets starter Nolan McLean. Wood hit a first-pitch sweeper to the opposite field, where it glanced off the leaping Nick Morabito’s arm and bounded into center.

“When I saw that, I kind of just knew it was a full-on sprint home,” the 23-year-old Wood said of his 53rd career home run. “That’s probably why my eyes got big.”

Center fielder Tyrone Taylor braced himself before running into the wall before looking at Morabito, who pointed to the carom before giving chase himself.

“He lost track of the baseball,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He went after and then he didn’t know where the ball was. That’s a tough break there.”

Wood scampered around the bases in 15.15 seconds and slid headfirst across the plate well ahead of the throw for his first career grand slam and 13th homer of the season.

It was the ninth inside-the-park grand slam in the majors since 1994. The previous one was hit by Toronto’s Raimel Tapia on July 22, 2022.

“When they get over the fence, obviously I think James enjoys that more so he doesn’t have to run as hard or as far,” first-year Nationals manager Blake Butera said. “But that was pretty cool. I think everyone was pretty fired up, talking some smack that he can’t hit it over the fence.”

The Nationals have two inside-the-park grand slams since the franchise moved to Washington in 2005. Michael A. Taylor hit the other Sept. 8, 2017, at home against Philadelphia.

Three of the four inside-the-park grand slams this century were hit at Nationals Park. Philadelphia’s Aaron Altherr connected for one at Washington on Sept. 25, 2015.

Now, Wood has joined that small club.

“It’s probably the biggest smile I’ve seen on his face since I’ve gotten to know him,” Butera said.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Washington Nationals' Drew Millas, right, celebrates as the Nationals' James Wood slides into home on a inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) watches Washington Nationals' James Wood head home on a inside-the-park grand slam during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Nationals' Drew Millas, right, celebrates as the Nationals' James Wood slides into home on a inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Nationals' James Wood hits an inside the park grand slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Nationals' James Wood slides into home as New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens waits for the throw on an inside the park gland slam home run during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)