They tried to tell us. That you don’t so much attack Pinehurst No. 2 as survive. That the characteristic smooth green tones of this Donald Ross jewel in the shape of inverted saucers push the limits of honesty. That blood will flow.
Someone forgot to tell Rory McIlroy, who made a great start in his latest attempt to end a decade-long chase for a fifth major title with a five-under par 65, matching the lowest round ever at a US Open in Pinehurst: Home to the US National Championship for the fourth time since 1999.
The in-form Northern Irishman’s fifth birdie of the day at the 18th put him level with early clubhouse leader Patrick Cantlay, the 32-year-old Californian who has been dogged by inconsistency all year and who left his back nine in one under par negotiated before picking up shots. on the first, fifth, sixth and eighth, flying through the tape for a one-shot lead over tournament debutant Ludvig Åberg of Sweden.
Earlier this week, McIlroy attributed the event’s gradual reversal of form to a “come-to-Jesus moment” in his approach to the USGA’s famously fearless format. The 35-year-old has posted top 10 finishes in his past five US Open appearances, each time finishing better than the last, including last year when he finished second to Wyndham Clark at Los Angeles Country Club.
That upward trend line appears intact, and for those looking for signs, McIlroy’s last three bogey-free opening rounds at majors ended with him lifting the trophy on Sunday.
Frenchman Matthieu Pavon carded two eagles before noon before finishing with a 67, two shy of 2020 champion Bryson DeChambeau. Tony Finau and Tyrell Hatton were three behind the leaders, while Sergio García – one of only a dozen players from the rebellious LIV Golf Series in the 156-man field – was one of 11 players one under after just the sixth bogey- free round in a US Open in Pinehurst.
They all took advantage of what passes for soft, scoreable conditions on the 7,540-yard course on a windless day in the sandhills of North Carolina, which could be crucial as the already intimidating greens threaten to play even firmer and faster as temperatures rise. are expected to increase. above 90F (32C) on Friday and Saturday.
But there was no shortage of suffering from the earliest moments in the morning when Michael McGowan, a 33-year-old qualifier who grew up in nearby Southern Pines, sent the opening tee shot left into the natural sand. The local favorite’s double bogey only foretold the tough sledding to come on a course made famous by treacherous domed greens, where a putt that misses the cup by a hair can easily roll off the crowned edges into a bunker .
Brooks Koepka, the five-time major champion playing on the same course where he burst from obscurity a decade ago with a fourth-place finish that stamped his PGA Tour card, spent most of the morning atop the leaderboard, just three points below par .But three late bogeys on the last few holes left him level for the day.
Another promising start was thwarted when Tiger Woods, playing in only his fourth event of the season, made the turn at one over after a series of clutch par saves before quickly fading with five bogeys in a seven-hole stretch. The 48-year-old had birdied his opening hole and the mere sight of the 15-time Major champion at the top of the US Open leaderboard – even with 71 holes to play – sparked early excitement on the grounds. But on a course that punishes shots that are even marginally bad, Woods’ rust finally told.
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McIlroy’s partners in a large group of the world’s top three players struggled to keep up: World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler fought hard to finish in one over, while newly minted US PGA champion Xander Schauffele similarly toiled for an even par, despite hitting only six fairways and eight. of 16 greens in regulation.
Ahead of the third major of the season, one player after another talked about the boring, conservative golf Pinehurst needs to limit the damage. No one who started in Thursday’s early wave did better than McIlroy and Cantlay, even though the latter was well aware of the challenge ahead.
“I imagine they can make the golf course as difficult as they want, with the Bermuda greens and no rain in the forecast I expect the golf course to be very difficult over the next few days,” Cantlay said. “I knew that the 7:40 a.m. departure might be the easiest of the entire week, with the lack of wind, and probably the mildest we’ll see it.”
US Open prize money has risen to a record $21.5 million, with Sunday’s winner set to take home a check worth $4.3 million.