The US Open is underway at Shinnecock Hills and Rory McIlroy has spoken about his opening round at the major
Rory McIlroy has made a promising start in his bid to secure a second US Open title. The major got underway at Shinnecock Hills on Thursday.
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The two-time Masters champion posted an opening score of one under par as the field navigated the tricky course. Wyndham Clark led by four strokes on six-under at the end of the first round, but will be aware how quickly his fortunes could change in the coming days.
The last time that Shinnecock Hills hosted the US Open in 2018, Brooks Koepka claimed the title on one over. McIlroy had reasons to be pleased after keeping himself in early contention as one of only 17 stars to score below par.
Meanwhile, former major champion Jason Day has withdrawn from the event due to injury. Mirror Sport rounds up some of the biggest golfing stories.
Rory McIlroy secures ‘bonus’
McIlroy viewed his three birdies and fifth-hole eagle as bonuses when reflecting on his start at the US Open. The 37-year-old ended the day with two bogeys but was not disheartened as he recalled his disastrous 10-over opening 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 is currently one of eight golfers sharing ninth place on one under. McIlroy won the US Open in 2011 and is targeting the seventh major triumph of his career.
Major winner 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Jason Day has withdrawn from the US Open due to a back injury.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 opting not to finish his round on Thursday.
The 38-year-old made his decision after scoring par at the first, having started on the back nine. The former world No.1 was escorted back to the clubhouse after cutting his round short.
It is the 12th time Day has withdrawn from an event through injury during his career. The Australian was runner-up when McIlroy won the US Open in 2011, and he also shared second place with Phil Mickelson two years later.
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