New names -and McIlroy -- top US Open leaderboard

BROOKLINE, Mass. — For one day at least, the U.S. Open was wide open.

Five of the top six on the leaderboard played their way onto The Country Club course through qualifying. The other was four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, who slammed and tossed aside his clubs during the round but also made enough shots with them to remain just one stroke off the lead.

“It’s been eight years since I won a major,” McIlroy said after shooting a 3-under 67 to end the day in a five-way tie for second behind Adam Hadwin. “And I just want to get my hands on one again.”

A 34-year-old Canadian who only secured a spot in Brookline eight days earlier, Hadwin had five birdies on the front nine, then played the back at even par to finish with a 66. McIlroy was tied for second with Callum Tarren, David Lingmerth, Joel Dahmen and MJ Daffue.

It was a big sports day in Boston: FIFA announced on Thursday afternoon that the area will host 2026 World Cup matches, and the Red Sox had a matinee against Oakland. (The A’s won 4-3).

The Celtics lost Game 6 of the NBA Finals 103-90 to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, with McIlroy among those heading to the TD Garden for the game.

RORY ROARS McIlroy has been the most vocal defender of the PGA Tour against the new LIV Golf circuit throwing Saudi Arabian money around to attract big-name defectors. But the best thing he can do for the legacy circuit is to keep winning.

Days after his victory in the RBC Open, McIlroy made back-to-back birdies on the way in to become the first player to reach 4 under. He missed the ninth green -- his 18th hole -- and settled for his only bogey of the round.