Rory McIlroy had history on his side as he kicked off his attempt to secure his first major title since 2014 at the 124th US Open. He began with a stellar round of golf, carding a bogey-free 65 to share the overnight lead with Patrick Cantlay at Pinehurst. This performance mirrored Martin Kaymer’s first-round score on his way to victory at the same venue in 2014. Additionally, McIlroy has a track record of success when starting majors with bogey-free rounds, having won three in the past when achieving this feat.
Following a recent reconciliation with his wife Erica, McIlroy seemed to be in top form on the course. He sank birdie putts and exhibited strong short game skills throughout his opening round. His playing partners Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, winners of earlier majors this season, also had solid performances with scores of 71 and 70, respectively. McIlroy expressed satisfaction with his strong start, attributing it to his ability to control his game and stay composed under pressure.
McIlroy, Scheffler, and Schauffele teed off early on Friday, aiming to take advantage of favorable playing conditions. McIlroy anticipated a clear and calm morning, hoping that the weather would remain conducive for good golf. The day’s quote of the day came from Brooks Koepka, who declined interview requests after his round, expressing his frustrations with repetitive and uncreative questioning from the media. Statistically, Cantlay showed significant improvement with his strong performance, setting the early target for the field.
Despite some challenges with inconsistent bunker sand, players like Nick Dunlap managed to navigate the course successfully. Cantlay’s 65 initially led the field, but McIlroy’s bogey-free round in tougher afternoon conditions ultimately stood out as the round of the day. The course’s easiest hole, the par-five fifth, saw an impressive nine eagles and 60 birdies overall. In contrast, the par-three sixth proved to be the hardest hole, yielding only three birdies throughout the day.
Notable tee times for the upcoming rounds included McIlroy playing alongside Schauffele and Scheffler, as well as DeChambeau teeing off with Hovland and Homa. The weather forecast for the following day predicted hotter temperatures approaching the mid-90s, with lighter winds expected. As the tournament progressed, McIlroy and the field would be tested by both the challenging course and the changing weather conditions.
