It opens in the name of Rory McIlroy the US Open 2024. With a birdie and a 19-foot putt, the Northern Irishman has in fact reached the top of Pinehurst with the American Patrick Cantlay. Slow start for the super favorite Scottie Scheffler. In the middle of the leaderboard are the Molinari brothers, with Manassero behind.
Without a doubt the protagonist of the day is Rory himself, chasing his fifth Major ten years after his last success (PGA Championship 2014). McIlroy closed the bogey free round in 65 strokes, five under par on the challenging course. “I felt like I was in complete control of most aspects of my game,” McIlroy said. I controlled myself, my mind and was very regular when needed.”
Looking for his first success in a Major Patrick Cantlay he scored one bogey and six birdies. Three of these in the last four holes. “I played solid most of the way,” said Cantlay, fresh off a tour with just 23 putts played. Almost a record on a difficult course like Pinehurst No.2. “I knew the pitch was quite difficult but I held on well. I hit a lot of fairways, the ball often ended up in the right spot.”
The young Swede is one shot behind the two leaders Ludwig Abergnow at home on the PGA Tour courses. To follow Bryson DeChambeau And Matthieu Pavon. The Frenchman carded two eagles in 18 holes – a record for a round at the US Open played at Pinehurst.
Listen Listen: Scottie-I win it all-Scheffler he struggled with his short game and finished the opening round over par (+1). Tiger Woods he finished at +4.
Damned “triples” for the Italians at the 2024 US Open
From the Italian front the best debut was that of Edoardo Molinari who compromised the day with a double bogey on the 8th hole (he started from the 10th). For the rest his score was perfectly par with two bogeys (4 and 7) and two birdies (14 and 16). At the moment Dodo is in fiftieth position. Francesco Molinari instead he has one more shot: at +3 he is in the company of Justin Rose, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Wyndham Clark. Chicco struggled on the front nine with a triple bogey (on the par 3 of the 9th hole), a double (2), a bogey (6) and three birdies (5,8,13).
Very uphill on the second day of Matteo Manassero after starting with a +9. Matteo undoubtedly paid for the emotion of returning to play a Major: on the first hole of the day, the par 5 of the 10th, he scored a triple bogey. A start that probably influenced him: on the scoreboard a double (at 12) and five bogeys.
Like Manny, in 146th position, also a certain Phil Mickelson…
