Still feeling "a bit jetlagged" world number one Rory McIlroy has finished with a two-under-par 69 on day one of the Australian Open.

The 25-year-old whose win in this competition last year proved the catalyst for a thrilling past season, birdied the first and picked up further shots at the fifth and ninth, in-between his second bogey of the day at the seventh, moving into an early morning tie for second place.

Finishing one shot behind leader Aaron Price, from the morning starters, he now places two behind new leader Jordan Spieth.

McIlroy who added on the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Twitter account that he feels “ like there’s a better score out there for me,” was playing alongside Matt Jones - a lifelong member of the course.

On the second-last hole Jones hit a spectator in the head with an errant drive, yet after immediate medical attention he appeared to have recovered well.

Meanwhile having been edged out by McIlroy on the 72nd hole last year, Adam Scott lies seven shots off the pace on Thursday after an opening round 74.

An early double bogey and three further dropped shots on the front nine, were somewhat rectified with birdies on the 12th and 14th.