Two days after stressing the need for a fast start in his pursuit of a fifth major title, Rory McIlroy’s prayers were answered on day one of the 120th US Open at a surprisingly benign Winged Foot.
Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy shot five over par to win the last US Open at the venue in 2006, while American Hale Irwin was seven over in surviving the so-called “Massacre at Winged Foot” in 1974.
However, on a day when 21 players broke par, McIlroy’s 67 left him two shots off the lead held by Justin Thomas, with McIlroy’s former Ryder Cup partner – and fellow new father – Thomas Pieters alongside Matthew Wolff and Patrick Reed on four under par.
Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen were alongside McIlroy on three under, but world number one and FedEx Cup winner Dustin Johnson struggled to a 73.
Tweet of the day
Matt Fitzpatrick struggled to an opening 74, but still had the last word after receiving some abuse on social media following an earlier post by his caddie Billy Foster.
Quote of the day
Phil Mickelson’s approach to the ninth was so far off target it ended up on the first tee – and he was not impressed on his way to a dismal 79.
Shot of the day
Patrick Reed was two over par after five holes, but birdied the sixth and then made a spectacular hole-in-one on the seventh.
Round of the day
Justin Thomas carded six birdies and one bogey in his opening 65, the lowest score in any US Open at Winged Foot.
Statistic of the day
Easiest hole
Unsurprisingly, the par-five ninth was the easiest hole on the course and played to an average of 4.639 with 56 birdies and two eagles.
Toughest hole
The 498-yard par-four 16th was the toughest, playing to an average of 4.340 and yielding just seven birdies.
On the up
The chances of some firmer greens and tougher pin positions after 21 players broke par on the opening day; only Colin Montgomerie did so in 2006.
On the slide
Phil Mickelson’s increasingly slim chances of winning the US Open to complete a career grand slam. The 50-year-old slumped to an opening 79.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here