Rory blows Major hopes

RORY McILROY’S US Open hopes were blown off course in the soaring winds at Shinnecock Hills in New York.

McIlroy (inset), aiming to land a first Major since

2014, slumped to a

10-over-par 80, his worst score in the tournament.

The Northern Irishman’s round included three double bogeys.

Playing partners Jordan Spieth and

Phil Mickelson fared little better with rounds of 78 and

77 respectively, while former

British amateur champion Scott Gregory carded

92, the first score in the 90s in this event since 2002.

It was much better news for a resurgent Ian Poulter as he claimed a share of the early clubhouse lead.

Poulter, who was ranked outside the world’s top 200 from PETER LAING just 15 months ago, carded a one-under-par 69 to join American Scott Piercy among the pacesetters.

The Englishman missed the cut on his US Open debut at Shinnecock in 2004 and has yet to record a top-10 finish. “I did not enjoy it at all in 2004 and through most of the US Opens it feels like you are pulling teeth,” said Poulter, who claimed his first victory since 2012 in the Houston Open earlier this season.

“It’s supposed to be tough but this week I’ve changed my mindset.

“I’m here to enjoy my golf, play freely and just go and play. “It was brutal out there and I’m glad they have widened the fairways, otherwise I don’t know what the scores would have been.”