Rory McIlroy Shares Lead At US Open With Disciplined Start

Rory McIlroy's disciplined start at the US Open has positioned him favourably as he seeks his first major victory in a decade. The three-time major winner began with a bogey-free round of 65 at Pinehurst, sharing the lead with Patrick Cantlay. This start is promising for McIlroy, who has historically won majors when starting without a bogey.

McIlroy's performance mirrors his previous successes, having achieved similar starts at the 2011 US Open, 2012 PGA Championship, and 2014 Open Championship. The 35-year-old also matched his best-ever start at a US Open, echoing his 65 from the 2011 victory and last year's second-place finish.

"It's nice to see your name at the top of the leaderboard after the first day of a US Open," McIlroy told Sky Sports. He hit five birdies, including two in the last three holes, demonstrating a solid and controlled round of golf. "I just stayed disciplined and when I got myself in trouble, I took my medicine, two-putted," he added.

McIlroy's bogey-free round is notable as it is only the seventh such round in US Open history at Pinehurst No. 2. He emphasised the importance of maintaining clean scorecards in this tournament. "I'm pretty sure I'm not going to keep it bogey-free for the rest of the week. But it's not about how many birdies you make; it's about how many bogeys you don't make," he said.

McIlroy highlighted his patience during a run of pars from the 11th through to the 15th holes, where he had opportunities but couldn't convert. "I feel like the patience I showed over those five holes was rewarded with two birdies in the last three - a great way to finish," he noted.

Reflecting on his past performances, McIlroy acknowledged that his starts at major championships haven't always been strong. "I probably got myself a little too worked up at the start of the week," he admitted. However, he recognised that good starts have been crucial in his successful major campaigns.

Looking Ahead

As McIlroy continues through the tournament, his focus remains on maintaining discipline and avoiding bogeys. His experience and strategic approach could be key factors in his quest for another major title.

The US Open continues to unfold, with fans eagerly watching to see if McIlroy can sustain his strong start and secure another major victory.