Fowler off to a flyer

It’s mission accomplished as Rory takes Major step

round.

That saw him claim joint top spot from the morning half of the draw alongside US Open specialist Xander Schauffele and South African Louis Oosthuizen.

“I’ve put myself in a good position so I’m happy with how I stuck to the game plan and executed the shots,” he said. RORY McIlroy declared mission accomplished after taking the first crucial step towards ending his five-year Major drought. The Northern Irishman cured his first-round Major stage fright to fire himself into the hunt at the US Open. McIlroy, the four-time Major champion, was pleased not to repeat his mistakes at the Masters and US PGA by getting off to a slow start. After signing for a threeunder-par 68 – just two shots off the early pace set by Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele and Louis Oosthuizen, McIlroy said: “I did what I wanted to do which was hit it in the fairways for the most part, hit a lot of greens and when I didn’t I was able to get it up and down.

“I did everything you need to do in a US Open. I stayed patient after I bogeyed the first and played really solid after that so I did what you are supposed to do. Make a lot of pars, chip off the birdies when you can and it was a good day’s work

“It’s important for everybody to make a fast start but especially trying to get my way back to winning these big events it is important

“In the first two Majors this year, I shot 73 at Augusta and over par at Bethpage as well and it’s so hard to chase, especially when courses are so tough.

“So to get off to such a good start you are right in the tournament, which is a nice position to be in.”

McIlroy was delighted with his performance with the putter, holding his nerve to hole out massive par saves on the 18th, fifth and eighth holes to keep his round on even keel.

Despite his desire to get off to a fast start, McIlroy still had to be patient as he launched his round off the 10th tee – right in the jaws of the most demanding stretch of holes on the golf course.

A fact he soon discovered with a dropped shot at his opening hole after finding the greenside bunker with his approach.

That patience must have been tested even more by watching playing partner Jon Rahm (above) rattling off three birdies in a row in a sizzling start.

But while the Spaniard’s momentum would eventually stall on the supposedly easier front nine – finishing on two under – McIlroy motored on in style.

RAMPAGING Rickie Fowler seized the US Open lead with a sizzling 66 that set the pace for the afternoon starters to chase. The American (below), who has repeatedly fallen agonisingly short of clinching his elusive first Major, gave himself another shot at glory with a superb five-under-par McIlroy put himself firmly in the hunt for glory last night after a fine first round