Rory McIlroy Avoids 2018 Catastrophe With Robust Opening Spherical at Shinnecock Hills

Rory McIlroy began his 2026 US Open marketing campaign with a robust efficiency at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, exhibiting he has realized from his troublesome expertise on the similar course eight years in the past.

Rory McIlroy Overcomes Windy Conditions

McIlroy shot a 1-under-par 69 in the course of the opening spherical on Thursday, conserving himself in competition regardless of sturdy winds that made situations extraordinarily difficult.

According to the NY Post, the end result was a significant enchancment from his final US Open look at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, when he opened with a 10-over 80 and missed the minimize.

The two-time main champion stated his essential aim this time was to keep away from making the identical errors and keep affected person all through the spherical.

“It was a day to really just keep yourself in the tournament and not shoot yourself out of it, which is exactly what I did eight years ago here,” McIlroy stated after his spherical.

The 37-year-old golfer, who entered the event ranked No. 2 on the planet after profitable back-to-back Masters titles, dealt with the troublesome situations properly. He reached 3-under earlier than ending with bogeys on his closing two holes, however he remained pleased along with his general efficiency.

“With the conditions today, anything under par or anything around even par is a good score,” McIlroy stated.

Rory McIlroy Shows Major Growth

The opening spherical additionally confirmed how a lot McIlroy’s method to main tournaments has modified since his struggles at Shinnecock Hills in 2018.

After that disappointing efficiency, he realized he wanted to really feel extra snug taking part in on the hardest programs.

McIlroy defined that after the 2018 US Open, he felt extra assured on the subsequent week’s event and puzzled why he was not feeling the identical means at Shinnecock.

“I’ve got this backwards. I should be in my comfort zone at Shinnecock and not here,” he recalled pondering on the time, GolfWeek reported.

Since then, McIlroy has labored on necessary elements of his sport, together with controlling his photographs, wedge play, quick sport, and placing. Those enhancements have helped him grow to be extra constant in main championships.

One of the most important moments of his first spherical got here on the par-5 fifth gap. McIlroy hit a robust drive and adopted with a protracted pitching wedge shot earlier than making the eagle putt to maneuver to 3-under.

Although he struggled barely on his closing two holes, McIlroy believed the spherical was a constructive step ahead.

“It’s so tough. It’s so difficult,” he stated. “But overall, a really good day.”