RORING SUCCESS
It’s nappy days as new father McIlroy shoots best opening round in a Major for six years
BECOMING a father is so pa so good for Rory McIlroy’s golf.
The Irishman registered his first top-10 finish since the lockdown at the Tour Championship earlier this month just days after the birth of his daughter Poppy Kennedy. And yesterday he shot his best opening round in a Major since his victory at the 2014 US PGA – before insisting he could have gone lower.
The four- time Major winner has made a habit of starting slowly and playing catch-up in the biggest events.
But the new dad admitted he was a “little more relaxed” as he carded four birdies and only one bogey in his 67 to take advantage of friendly conditions at fearsome Winged Foot.
He opened with a 66 before winning his last Major title six years ago. And yesterday his superb driving led to his lowest opening round in the US Open since 2011 when he went on to win by eight shots.
The world No.4 has not won this event by any stretch – but he has not played himself out of contention. “I was maybe putting myself under a little too much pressure to get off to a good start,” McIlroy admitted.
“First round of a Major you’re always anxious to play well, and maybe I’ve overthought it at times. I just went out today and took what was given to me. I was a little more relaxed and played really nicely. At a US Open, if you can get off to a good start, you’re not chasing as much. And when you chase on US Open courses, that’s when you can start to make mistakes and compound your errors.
“To have that sort of cushion, to be a little bit more relaxed about y your play, y not take on too much, to be able to still play conservative golf, I think that’s important here.”
Starting on the 10th hole, McIlroy rolled in a 15-footer for his first opening-hole birdie at the US Open. Further birdies at the 212-yard 13th – where he hit his tee shot to three feet – and 18 saw him make the turn in three under par before the only blemish on his card – a threeputt bogey on the first hole.
As he had promised, he drove the par-four sixth but took three putts from 40 feet.
“Obviously I had a really good start,” he said. “I drove the ball better. I put the ball in play much more today than I have done in the previous few weeks. That bodes well.
“Hopefully I can keep that going over the next three days, and that’s what you need to do around here, j just keep it in the short stuff and, if the greens are still receptive enough, you can give yourself some chances.
“But it was one of those rounds I felt like could have been a little lower than it was. There were chances there to maybe sneak another two or three out of the round.
“But at the same time, 67 here is always going to be a good score and is a really good start.”