McIlroy pleased with opening 69
Rory McIlroy was encouraged by his two-under-par 69 in Thursday's first round of the Open at Troon.
While it could have been even better, the round still leaves him firmly in contention at the year's third major championship, three shots behind early clubhouse leader Patrick Reed.
McIlroy would have had thoughts of something seriously low after picking up four shots during a five-hole stretch on the front nine to briefly tie for the lead, but he wasn't able to maintain that kind of level on the back.
The Northern Irishman dropped two shots in the blink of an eye as he double-bogeyed the 13th, before another bogey at 14 threatened to derail his round completely.
He was able to bounce back with a birdie at 15, however, before parring his way home for a pretty solid 69.
"It was good, a solid start – I was able to make a run of birdies on the front nine," said McIlroy.
"You really needed to make hay on the front nine and after a slow start I was able to do that."
The double-bogey would have been particularly disappointing as it included a missed 18-inch putt for bogey, but McIlroy wasn't getting too down on himself about it.
“The frustrating thing is they were two of the best shots I hit all day, the drive on 13 and the second shot,” he said. “It was the wrong club I hit.
"The double-bogey was disappointing and that affected by tee shot at the next but I was able to bounce back at the 15th."
Latest
-
NewsUS Open day two: Patrick Reed grinds out narrow lead as Winged Foot bares teeth
Winged Foot kicked back hard on day two of the US Open as Patrick Reed ground out a narrow halfway lead in pursuit of his second major title.After an opening day in which 21 players broke par, just three defied breezy conditions to do so on Friday as Tiger Woods missed the cut on 10 over par following a 77 and Rory McIlroy slid down the leaderboard with a 76.Former Masters champion Reed added a 70 to his opening 66 to finish four under par and a shot ahead of fellow American Bryson DeChambeau, whose 68 was the lowest score of the day.Overnight leader Justin Thomas recovered from five over…
-
NewsPatrick Reed takes halfway lead in torrid US Open
Reed finished a one-shot leader after a second round in which only three players broke par.
-
NewsBryson DeChambeau relishing tough conditions as he moves into US Open contention
The American shot a second-round 68 to sit on three under par at the halfway stage.
-
NewsBryson DeChambeau hails ‘impeccable’ iron play that puts him in the US Open mix
DeChambeau’s physical transformation was one of the main talking points when golf returned to action following the coronavirus shutdown.
-
NewsClosing eagle gives Bryson DeChambeau clubhouse lead at US Open
On three under par, the big-hitting American held a one-shot lead over Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello.
-
NewsLee Westwood struggles in tough second round conditions at US Open
Belgium’s Thomas Pieters had earlier made a flying start to move into the outright lead.
-
NewsLee Westwood on strong US Open start: ‘This course is gettable if you hit the fairways’
Lee Westwood reflects on his impressive opening round at the 120th US Open.
-
NewsUS Open day one: Rory McIlroy off to fast start as Justin Thomas takes the lead
McIlroy shot an opening round three-under 67 while Thomas carded a five-under 65.
-
NewsRory McIlroy flying high after opening round of US Open at Winged Foot
The Northern Irishman is two shots behind leader Justin Thomas, who shot a five-under-par 65 at Winged Foot.
-
NewsA little more relaxation brings a little more action for Rory McIlroy at US Open
The Northern Irishman shot 67 on the opening day to sit two behind clubhouse leader Justin Thomas.