Rory McIlroy has slammed British Open organizers after he and other golfers were pulled off the course for 40 minutes during a delay caused by howling winds.

McIlroy has opened with consecutive pars but fell apart after the wind delay and ended with a horror round of 80

Play was halted after McIlroy had scored three pars and hit a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway on the fourth hole.

McIlroy said: “I don’t think they should have called us off the golf course.


“When we got back out there the ­conditions hadn’t changed. The wind ­probably got a little worse. It wasn’t a smart move.


“I’m not trying to make excuses – I didn’t hit the ball well after the restart and put myself in places to make a good score – but during the delay we spent 40 minutes on a bus not really doing much.


“I just don’t think they should have called us off the course in the first place.”

“I let it get away from me and I actually did well to par the last three. It could have been an 82 or 83. It’s a roller coaster ride, with more downs than ups for me. I was starting to get very frustrated.”