The 19-year-old from Holywood outscored the rest of the 20 strong Irish contingent to finish the day in a share of 10th place.

This is McIlroy’s first Irish Open as a professional and he has spent most of the week defending his quiet start to the season but yesterday he answered the doubters in emphatic style.

The youngest of the 20 Irish competitors on show, finished the day tied for 10th after a two under par round of 70.

“It's a solid round, I didn’t do much wrong today,” he said.

“I hit it really nicely and gave myself a lot of opportunities which is great around this golf course because you have to hit it well around here to give yourself chances.

“Overall it’s a solid start and I hope I can build on it over the next three days.”

McIlroy admitted that he has taken some time to settle into life on tour and is still learning how to cope with the demands of travelling and playing all over the world.

“I feel a lot more comfortable in Europe than I do in the Far East and I think that is reflected in my scores,” he said.

“I played in Spain and Portugal in the middle of April and I played pretty well there.

“I had a long couple of weeks over in the Far East and when I got home I took a couple of weeks off to recharge the batteries.

“I did a lot of good practice and I know it has paid off coming into this week.

“I feel confident with my ball striking and I've sharpened up my short game which is good

“Overall I feel as if I am playing quite nicely and if I can play like that over the next three days I won't be far away.

“I’ve prepared well and I’m playing well so we’ll see what happens over the next few days.”

Defending champion Padraig Harrington was disappointed to finish the day at level par.

The Dubliner played with some strapping on his arm because of some trouble with tennis elbow but claimed it was having, ‘no effect on his golf’.

“I made a few mental errors and seemed to drift away a bit. I suppose 72 doesn’t look that good when you see six under, but that won’t have played me out (of contention) at this stage,” he said.

“But it was probably the easiest day you’ll ever get on this course in terms of weather and so there was an opportunity out there.

“I just have to play my best golf over the next three days.”

Irish round one scores: - 70 Rory McIlroy; 71 Peter Lawrie; 72 Colm Moriarty, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington; 73 Paul McGinley; 74 Michael Hoey, Graeme McDowell, Gary Murphy; 75 Damian Mooney; 76 Peter Martin, Damien McGrane, Pat Murray (AM); 77 Mark Staunton; 78 Robert Giles; 79 Brendan McGovern, Peter O’Keeffe; 80 Leslie Walker, David Higgins, Glen Robinson; 81 Michael Lavelle; 85 Eamonn Brady