Ortiz blitzes late to join three‑way lead at Australian Open, McIlroy falters

Mexican Carlos Ortiz produced a late surge to grab a share of the lead with Elvis Smylie and Ryan Fox after a six-under-par 65 in Thursday’s opening round of the Australian Open, while Rory McIlroy struggled in blustery conditions at Royal Melbourne, finishing with a one-over 72. Smylie, 23, son of former Australian tennis player Elizabeth Smylie, delighted home fans with seven birdies against a lone bogey. New Zealand’s Fox matched the leading score with eight birdies and two bogeys. “The winds are a big factor today,” Smylie said.

Raccontata daarabnews.com