Rory McIlroy found himself four shots behind leader Joaquin Niemann after a challenging first day at the Irish Open at Doonbeg. The wind was a major factor, with gusts of up to 35 miles per hour making play difficult at the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in County Clare. McIlroy took over six hours to complete his one-under-par 69, battling the elements and sporadic rain. He managed birdies at the second and fourth holes, but a double-bogey at the 13th after struggling to escape a bunker slowed his progress. However, he recovered with a birdie at the 15th. The Northern Irish golfer, a two-time Masters champion, is aiming to defend his title from last year at the K Club and secure his third Irish Open victory, which would tie him with legends like Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo. Chilean golfer Joaquin Niemann took the lead with a strong performance, carding six birdies and just one dropped shot for a two-under-par 68. A run of four consecutive birdies from the 14th to the 17th helped him reach the top of the leaderboard. Niemann, who plays for LIV Golf, now holds a two-shot advantage over a group of five players, including Ireland's Shane Lowry and South Africa's Shaun Norris, who both completed their first rounds. Other players, such as Italian Renato Panatore and Austrian Maximilian Steinlechner, are also at three under but will finish their rounds on Friday after the tournament was halted due to fading light. Play was slow throughout the day, with the inclement weather posing challenges, especially for players starting later in the day. Several players, including Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin and Scotland's Conor Syme, are at two under. Jon Rahm, a two-time Irish Open champion, struggled with the greens and finished at level par. Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka, a five-time major winner, had a difficult start with a triple bogey and a dropped shot, putting him at five under. Koepka will need to improve on Friday if he is to avoid a second consecutive missed cut at the event. Despite the challenges, McIlroy expressed satisfaction with his performance, acknowledging the difficulty of playing in such conditions. He noted the slow pace of play and the impact of the wind, but was pleased to finish under par and remain in contention. With the weather forecast improving, McIlroy is optimistic about his chances in the coming days. Shane Lowry, a home favorite and former champion, is also hopeful of a strong performance on home soil, aiming to make an impact in the tournament.