Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy made a storming start to his US Open bid at Shinnecock Hills, taming the notorious Long Island course with a gritty one-under-par 69. The world number two's impressive display left him just one shot off American Sam Stevens' pace among the early finishers – a testament to the unyielding challenge posed by the iconic venue.
The fog-delayed start was a mere minor hurdle, but once play resumed, Shinnecock Hills revealed its full fury. Atlantic gusts howled through the course, buffeting the already intricate layout with five-inch-deep rough and wispy fescue waiting to snuff out any errant shots. Undulating, fast greens only added to the pressure – a recipe for disaster that left just six players in the early wave able to break par.
McIlroy, starting his round on the 10th hole, quickly got into his rhythm with two birdies in his opening three holes. Although bogeys at the 13th and 16th momentarily rocked him, he steadied the ship after the turn, claiming another birdie at the third and a thrilling eagle on the par-five fifth – courtesy of a wind-assisted 396-yard tee shot that left him purring.
"Anything under or around even par is a good score," McIlroy said with a hint of satisfaction in his voice during an interview with Sky Sports' Mel Reid. "It was a day to keep yourself in the tournament and not shoot yourself out of it – which is exactly what I did eight years ago here." The 37-year-old's playing partners, Ludvig Aberg and Tommy Fleetwood, also showed their mettle, with Aberg matching McIlroy's 69 and Fleetwood posting a level-par 70.
The USGA has acknowledged past criticisms regarding Shinnecock Hills' playing conditions – particularly in 2004 and 2018. John Bodenhamer, overseeing this year's setup, revealed that lessons had been learned, with water being hosed onto greens during the initial rounds to prevent them from drying out.
Meanwhile, world number one Scottie Scheffler, chasing a career Grand Slam, found it tough going – his two-over 72 featuring four birdies, four bogeys, and a double-bogey. The American will need to step up significantly if he's to join the exclusive club of players who have won all four men's majors.