PGA Tour winner Ryan Fox, rising Australian talent Elvis Smylie, and LIV golfer Carlos Ortiz stole the spotlight from Rory McIlroy on Thursday, finishing the opening round of the Australian Open tied at the top. Meanwhile, the Masters champion battled his putter on Royal Melbourne’s challenging greens and slipped well off the early pace.

Fans began lining up before dawn to catch a glimpse of McIlroy, who teed off in a marquee group alongside former Masters champion Adam Scott and home favourite Min Woo Lee. Despite the electric atmosphere, the Northern Irish star never found his rhythm in the gusty northerly winds, producing a turbulent card of five birdies and six bogeys for a one-over 72, leaving him seven shots adrift of the leaders.

“Those were some crowds for seven o’clock in the morning,” McIlroy said, appreciating the huge galleries gathered around his group. “It was a great atmosphere with Adam and Min Woo. Unreal how many people were lining the fairways and framing the greens.”

Looking ahead, McIlroy was frank about what needs to change if he’s to claw back into contention at this DP World Tour event.

“I need to putt better,” he said. “I holed a few good ones, but I think I made more from 25 feet than I did from inside five. I made enough birdies — I just need to cut out the mistakes.”

Smylie, the defending Australian PGA champion, took advantage of the early conditions, rolling in seven birdies on his way to a six-under 65. The 22-year-old credited his debut season in Europe for helping him stay composed in such a big setting.

“It just shows how much I’ve learnt on the DP World Tour,” he said. “Every week you’re adapting — different courses, different climates — you’re always adding tools to your toolbox. I embrace days like today. I believe I belong, and I’m happy to prove that on a stage like this.”

Fox, whose father is All Blacks great Grant Fox, joined Smylie on 65 later in the afternoon. The New Zealander — a four-time European Tour winner — made eight birdies, balancing out two dropped shots to share the lead as he continues a strong year that already includes two U.S. wins.

Ortiz rounded out the trio at six-under, signing for a card featuring an eagle, five birdies, and two bogeys — another polished performance from the Mexican star coming off his best major result, fourth at this year’s U.S. Open.

Further down the board, England’s Eddie Pepperell opened with a tidy 68 to sit at three under, while both Lee and Scott posted two-under 69s in McIlroy’s group. Cameron Smith, the 2022 Open champion and now a LIV regular, is one shot further back after an even-keeled 70.