Rory McIlroy defended by former Ryder Cup captain: "You can understand why he's irritated"

Paul McGinley revealed Rory McIlroy was still upset over his slow play warning at the Amgen Irish Open before he began his second round. 

McIlroy, 35, called on rules officials at the K Club to use 'common sense' after his group were told they were playing too slowly on Thursday. 

Reigning Masters champion McIlroy said he was 'agitated' after he concluded his opening round alongside Norway's Kristoffer Reitan and South Africa's Thriston Lawrence. 

McIlroy bogeyed two of his last three holes to shoot a 71 and later told reporters he felt 'a little rushed' over his last 12 holes. 

He explained their pace was affected owing to the fact his group attracted large galleries and several camera crews. 

McIlroy said that should have been taken into account, adding: "It's hard because you feel a bit rushed, you're playing some tough holes and our group has to deal with a lot more than any other group on the course.

"So it's understandable that we lose time and I feel like any time I either come back to Europe or I play in some of these like one, two, three in the world type groups, we're always put on the clock for that reason.

"I got a little frustrated the last few holes because I feel like it always happens and I don't think they use sort of common sense in terms of...well of course we're going to lose ground because we're going to have to wait on crowds and wait on the two camera crews that are out there.

"There's just a lot more going on with our group than any of the other groups on the course, and sometimes I feel like they have to give us a little bit of leeway and use a bit of common sense."

McGinley told viewers on the Sky Sports broadcast on Friday afternoon that McIlroy was still grumpy with what transpired before getting his second round underway. 

"He was still upset about it this morning," the former European Ryder Cup captain said. 

"The point he's making, not being arrogant about it, the crowds that follow him and the media attention that follows him means that play is going to be somewhat slower.

"You'd put McIlroy in the category of one of the fastest players in the game, not one of the slower ones.

"You can understand why he was irritated."

McIlroy appeared calm on the course on Friday afternoon. 

He made the turn in 33, courtesy of two birdies and no blemishes elsewhere. 

The four-time major winner is attempting to win his national open for the second time, with his sole victory arriving here in 2016.