Rory McIlroy in search of some help for his mind after a fat 79 opening round

GULLANE, Scotland – Rory McIlroy is ready to get some help after a fat 42 on the back nine almost surely put him out of contention in the British Open barely after it began.

Not with his swing. With his mind.

In McIlroy's words, "Sometimes I feel like I'm walking out there and I'm unconscious."

McIlroy imploded with a startling series of missed shots on the back nine Thursday on his way to a 7-over 79 that demonstrated just how much the former No. 1 player in the world is struggling with his game. He was a staggering 13 shots off the early lead even though he felt he hit the ball decently all day.

His round included, among other things, a putt that went into a bunker.