Rory McIlroy carded a bogey-free 5-under 65 to tie Patrick Cantlay’s first-round score in the 124th U.S. Open. The two are atop the leaderboard after the first 18 holes at Pinehurst No. 2 Golf Club.
The last time McIlroy shot a bogey-free opening round at the U.S. Open was at Congressional Country Club in 2011. He also didn’t shoot a bogey in the opening round at the 2012 PGA Championship and the 2014 British Open. McIlroy has since won those three tournaments.
But at the Congressional, he won his first career major championship, starting off with a bogey-free 65.
“I felt like I had most aspects of my game under control, I controlled myself, I controlled my mind, I was disciplined when I needed to be,” McIlroy said on NBC Sports’ Damon Hack’s broadcast.
“I was relentless in trying to hit the fairways and greens. Early on the back nine, I was hitting it to 20 feet and just kept missing the putts. It could be frustrating, but I felt like my patience was rewarded with birdies on two of the last three holes.”
McIlroy hit 11 of 14 holes on the fairway and 14 of 17 on the green, recording five birdies on the day, including two on his final three holes.
The four-time major champion ranked fifth in strokes gained around the greens with 2.51 strokes better than the field, as well as 1.4 strokes gained off the tee and 2.17 strokes gained off iron shots.
“I’m very conservative in my strategy and my game,” he said.
“I think I try to be very stoic about my attitude and stay as calm as possible, and I think that’s what’s helped me the last few years at the U.S. Open. Just trying to focus 100 percent on the shot.”
McIlroy knows how important a good start is at any major tournament, but when it comes to the U.S. Open, a good start is essential for any player who wants to win. He’s had good starts at the tournament in recent years, finishing runner-up in 2023, tied for fifth in 2022, seventh in 2021 and eighth in 2020.
Before that, he had missed the cut in three consecutive U.S. Opens, starting with scores of 80, 78 and 77.
“I think in this championship more than any other championship, getting off to a good start is important to staying near the top,” McIlroy said.
“You have to know what’s around the corner and give yourself as much leeway as you can. Certainly, every major championship that I’ve won or played well in, I feel like I’ve always started well, so it’s nice to start well again.”
It helps that McIlroy loves Pinehurst’s No. 2 course and its style of play — he tied for 23rd here in 2014, starting the week with a one-over 71 — but the 35-year-old is already off to a strong start and is looking to end a decade-long major championship drought.
McIlroy won’t have a long break before the second round begins, teeing off on the 10th hole at 7:29 a.m. ET along with Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow us for more golf articles. Follow You can follow us on all major social platforms. You can also follow us on Twitter Follow Instagram: @savannah_leigh_sports
