Rory McIlroy has made an encouraging start in his pursuit of a second US Open crown, with the major getting underway at Shinnecock Hills on Thursday. The two-time Masters champion carded an opening round of one under par as competitors tackled the demanding course.
Wyndham Clark held a commanding four-stroke advantage on six-under following the first round, though he will be mindful of how rapidly that could shift over the coming days. When Shinnecock Hills last staged the US Open in 2018, Brooks Koepka lifted the trophy on one over. McIlroy had cause for satisfaction after positioning himself among the early contenders as one of just 17 players to finish under par. Meanwhile, former major winner Jason Day has pulled out of the tournament due to injury. Express Sport brings together some of the most significant golfing stories.
Rory McIlroy secures ‘bonus’
McIlroy described his three birdies and fifth-hole eagle as bonuses while assessing his US Open opening. The 37-year-old concluded the day with two bogeys but remained upbeat, recalling his catastrophic 10-over first round on the same course in 2018.
“It was a day to really just keep yourself in the tournament and not shoot yourself out of it, which is exactly what I did eight years ago here,” McIlroy said. “So (I) sort of went out with the mindset that pars were going to be good, and if you could pick up a couple of birdies here and there, that’s always a bonus. “But really just minimising the mistakes.
“I did that for the most part today. With the conditions today, anything under par or anything around even par is a good score.”
The Northern Irishman currently sits among eight golfers tied for ninth place on one under. McIlroy claimed the US Open back in 2011 and is chasing what would be the seventh major title of his illustrious career.
Major champion withdraws
Jason Day has withdrawn from the US Open due to a back injury. The former PGA Championship winner was seven-over after 10 holes before deciding to abandon his round on Thursday.
The 38-year-old made his decision after carding par at the first, having begun on the back nine. The former world No.1 was escorted back to the clubhouse after cutting his round short.
It marks the 12th occasion Day has withdrawn from an event due to injury throughout his career. The Australian finished as runner-up when McIlroy lifted the US Open trophy in 2011, and he also shared second place alongside Phil Mickelson two years later.