Rory McIlroy feels there were plenty of positives to take from his first-round display at the Irish Open. The tournament host, who has missed the cut three years running in the event, briefly held a share of the lead on his way to an opening-round 67 at the K Club.McIlroy, who has never finished higher than seventh in nine appearances in his home Open, reached the turn in 32 and picked up further birdies at the 10th and 13th before carding his only dropped shot of the day with a three-putt bogey at the next. Three pars were followed by a final-hole birdie to hand the Northern Irishman outright second, two strokes behind early pace-setter Danny Willett. McIlroy mixed six birdies with one bogey during the opening day I thought I played very well, I gave myself plenty of chances, McIlroy told Sky Sports. Obviously it looks like we got the better of the conditions out there, but it was still tricky with the wind getting up.I feel like you still had to go out there and play the shots and I holed a few putts, which was nice to see. I had a little bit of a blip on 14, but apart from that obviously really happy with how I played today. This is still my third week in a row but I feel nice and fresh and coming off a three-week break after Augusta has definitely helped as well.I managed myself around the golf course well and five under was a good reflection of how I played.Masters champion Willett missed the cut by a shot in the Players Championship last week in his first event since Augusta but was in much better form here.He said: It was nice coming off a pretty poor week last week, getting here Monday, and trying to get some work done with my coach, and getting everything sorted out.This is the first time I have played this golf course and its just fantastic, every holes different. Theres a few really challenging holes, a few good, fun holes.It was a good day. Played some really good golf with some birdies to start with and then started getting hot with the putter.A 65 was far beyond my expectations for today, especially after waking up and looking out the window when it was miserable and raining.Watch the Irish Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Live second round coverage begins on Friday from 9.30am. Also See: Willett sets Irish pace Latest leaderboard WATCH: The next McIlroy? Golf live on Sky Sports 4 Kobe Bryant Jersey . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay. Kurt Rambis Lakers Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/Derek-Fisher-Jersey/ . The 17-year-old native of Marystown, N.L., pulled out of Skate Canada International last month in Saint John, N.B., with the same problem. Tyson Chandler Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. Nick Van Exel Lakers Jersey . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- It took all offseason for Mike Maccagnan and Ryan Fitzpatrick to agree on a deal to bring the veteran quarterback back to the New York Jets.Maccagnan is still glad the reunion happened -- even if it all went wrong this season.During a nearly 40-minute sit-down with reporters Wednesday, the Jets general manager discussed several issues as New York enters its bye-week break at a dismal 3-7. He said the team is obviously disappointed about its record, but insists re-signing Fitzpatrick to a one-year, $12 million deal was the right move.I have no regrets about bringing Ryan back, Maccagnan said. I think going into it, we felt very good about the season Ryan had previously. So I have no regrets from that standpoint.Fitzpatrick set a franchise record last year with 31 touchdown passes while leading the Jets to a 10-6 record and within a victory of a playoff appearance.After the season, it appeared merely a formality that Fitzpatrick would be back. But the sides got locked in a contract stalemate that dragged on for months, ending only on the eve of training camp in July.Big things were expected for the Jets, especially with their record-setting quarterback in the fold again. But the offense got off to a lousy start and Fitzpatrick was benched as the Jets opened 1-5. He regained his starting spot when Geno Smith was lost for the season with a knee injury less than two quarters into his latest -- and, possibly, last -- opportunity with the Jets. Fitzpatrick returned until a sprained knee gave Bryce Petty the start last Sunday against Los Angeles.Of course, I think everybody, and Ryan included, would probably say he holds himself to a fairly high standard, Maccagnan said. Im sure there are aspects that he would like to ... we all would like to have better success on the field as a team. But from the standpoint of bringing Ryan back, no, I dont have regrets on that.Fitzpatrick leads the NFL with 13 interceptions against has just eight touchdown passes. Its possible Fitzpatrick could never throw another pass for New York if the Jets decide to give Petty and/or second-round pick Christian Hackenberg the last six games to audition for the job for neext season.ddddddddddddhats a decision, Maccagnan said, that will ultimately be made by coach Todd Bowles, wholl consult with his staff and the GM. Bowles said Monday his decision will be based on who he believes gives the team the best chance to win.From my standpoint, you like to see young players play, Maccagnan said. But you also want to make sure theyre ready for that. To me, its a more complicated decision than some people realize.With both Fitzpatrick and Smith scheduled to be free agents in the offseason, the Jets will have no established quarterbacks on their roster.Its not necessarily unnerving, Maccagnan said. We feel good. We have two young quarterbacks to work with and grow and develop, and well see how we address this going forward.As for Bowles, Maccagnan was supportive of the second-year coach, but added that everyone in the organization needs to do better at our jobs. There have been quite a few bumps in the road for Bowles, a former defensive coordinator who was highly regarded around the league before being hired last year to replace the fired Rex Ryan.Play calling, clock management and his overall approach have been questioned at times, particularly with missteps by players -- most notably Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson being benched for a quarter for being late for a team meeting -- creating the perception the Jets are dysfunctional.We knew there would be adversity along the way, but hes very consistent and very focused, Maccagnan said. And I think he has a very good pulse on the team and the locker room. I do think hes going to be a very good head coach in this league.Maccagnan punted on talking about possible moves or decisions beyond the season, preferring to focus publicly only on this year right now. But he also knows the next six games will go a long way in helping determine the franchises future.We do know where we want to be eventually, Maccagnan said. We do feel good about some of those things heading forward.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '