(ANSA) – ROME, JUNE 14 – In Pinehurst, North Carolina, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay, respectively number 3 and 9 in world golf, with a score of 65 (-5) shots closed the first round of the US Open at command of the standings. The Northern Irishman and the American are followed by the Swede Ludvig Aberg, 3rd with 66 (-4) ahead of the Frenchman Matthieu Pavon and the Californian Bryson DeChambeau, 4th with 67 (-3).
In the third men’s Major of 2024, a not exciting start for Scottie Scheffler. The American, world ranking leader and winner of five of the last eight matches played, is 34/o with 71 (+1). Complicated start for the Azzurri. Edoardo Molinari, the best, is 50/o with 72 (+2). The Turin player played the first 13 holes great, making two birdies. Then, in the last five, two bogeys and a double bogey arrived which caused him to lose strokes and positions. Further back is his brother Francesco, 65/o with 73 (+3), who has the last chance to try to qualify for the Paris Games. Eight years after the last time, Matteo Manassero returned to play a Grand Slam event. Difficult start for the Venetian, only 146/o with 79 (+9) and at high risk of elimination. Tiger Woods is instead 86/o with 74 (+4). For the 15-time Major champion, two birdies (including one at the start) and six bogeys.
At Pinehurst Golf Course (par 70), McIlroy was the protagonist with a bogey free attempt supported by five birdies. The last three times he opened a round at a Major without errors, he went on to triumph (The Open 2014, PGA Championship 2012 and US Open 2011). Seeking his first Grand Slam triumph, Cantlay, who boasts eight titles on the PGA Tour, instead made six birdies, with one bogey. But watch out for Aberg. The Swede, a green talent and sixth in the world ranking, hit all 14 fairways in the first round and dreams of becoming the first player since 1913 (Francis Ouimet) to win the US Open on his debut. (HANDLE).
