THREE UNDER PA

New dad Rory in flying start

The Ulsterman recorded his first top- 10 finish since lockdown at the Tour Championships just days after the birth of his daughter Poppy Kennedy.

And the world No. 4 made four birdies and only one bogey in his first round at Winged Foot as he seeks his first Major for more than six years.

And it seems suits Mcilroy.

“I was maybe putting myself under a little too much pressure to get off to a good start,” he said.

“First round of a Major you’re always anxious to play well and maybe I’ve over- thought it a little bit at times.

“I went out today and just took what was given to me a little more relaxed and played really nicely.

“I think 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 golf courses, that’s when like fatherhood you can start to make mistakes and compound your errors.

“To have that sort of cushion, to be a little bit more relaxed about your play, not take on too much, 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 ever 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 three- putt bogey on the first hole.

“Obviously had a really good start,” he added. “Drove

CHILD’S PLAY: Rory Mcilroy is playing his first Major since becoming a father the ball better. I put the ball in play much more today than I have done in the previous few weeks. That bodes well.

Tiger Woods suffered a last- hole nightmare to finish eight shots behind playing partner and early leader Justin Thomas.

The former world No. 1 was level par after 16 holes after nailing a 40- foot birdie before dropping a shot at the 17th.

But he then chunked his chip to the final green – and saw the ball nearly running back to his feet – before missing a fivefoot bogey putt.