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Updated at 22.22

WE’RE ONLY A day into the Memorial, but Rory McIlroy is the story of the event so far.

McIlroy opened with a birdie and that was as good as it got for the world’s Number 2 player. He four-putted the par-3 12th for a double bogey, had a three-putt on No. 7 and ended his round by missing a 4-foot birdie. McIlroy ultimately had a 78 to finish six over par on the first day.

“I don’t really have many explanations for this,” McIlroy said.

McIlroy was the story coming into the season. He won the PGA Championship at the end of 2012, a bunch of other events afterwards. He then signed a giant contract with Nike. He’s still one of the big stories this year, but not for good reasons.

He’s struggling on the course. He walked off the course at the Honda Classic after an awful first nine in his second round, and later claimed it was because of a toothache. He is also reportedly firing his management group, though he won’t confirm that’s it happening because of contract reasons.

Here’s legendary coach Butch Harmon’s reaction to McIlroy’s front nine today:

Additional reporting by AP

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