Few Rors from No. 1 McIlroy
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — Rory McIlroy came into the week talking like the World No. 1. He did not play like it Thursday.
The Irishman, who outside of the 2014 British Open has never excelled at links golf, opened the tournament with a 2-overpar 72.
“It was frustrating, especially how I felt I hit the ball from tee to green. I drove the ball great. I hit my iron shots very, very well,” he said. “Even when you hit good iron shots, getting it to 25, 30 feet is a good shot at times.”
McIlroy said he gave himself enough chances to convert.
“I missed a couple of short-ish putts on the last few holes and definitely thought it was a day where you could shoot under par and I didn’t take advantage of that.” playing partner Jason Day.
“I think if I did it three more times, I’d be in really good position come Sunday. No complaints there,” he said.
REED ALL ABOUT IT!
Patrick Reed figured to be a factor this week because of his solid short game, and his 4-under 66 confirmed that.
“Any time you come out in a U.S. Open and put together a round that is under par is always a good start,” Reed said. “To come out and hit the ball the way I did — I only missed three fairways and missed two greens. So if you can do that around this kind of golf course in a major championship, you are going to give yourself a chance. Hopefully I can just continue it on for the rest of the week and make some more putts.”
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Michael Putnam, who grew up in University Place, hit the first shot of the week practically trembling.
“Oh, I was so nervous,” he admitted. “I was pretty disappointed that they played that first tee shot as a par-4. Man, if they gave me a 150yard fairway, it wouldn’t be so bad. Obviously it’s the hardest par-4 on the golf course. You have to hit that tee shot in the fairway to do anything, and I didn’t. I was pretty nervous.”
Putnam finished even-par 70, which left him “really pleased.”
PLAY ON PHIL!
Gary Player completed the Grand Slam 50 years ago by winning the U.S. Open at Bellerive in St. Louis. He’s hoping Phil Mickelson can join the exclusive club.
“He’s been runner-up six times. I’ve been runner-up in seven majors, only your wife and your dog know about it,” Player said. “There’s only one thing that counts, and that’s to win. I really would love to see him win. The reason is he is the best PR pro playing the Tour today.”
HAMM IT UP!
Cole Hammer, the 15-year-old sectional qualifier, shed a tear before hitting his opening tee shot. He was lost in prayer.
“I was just praying,” he said. “I always pray right before my round on the first tee. That’s all I was doing. I wasn’t emotional or anything.” Still, Hammer said it was “awesome. “I mean, I can’t even describe what I felt on the first tee. It was like nervous excitement. It was so cool.”
Although he finished with a 7-over-par 77, he came close to making birdie on his first hole, the 10th, where he hit a great approach shot and barely missed the putt.
“I had it going pretty good for a while. For the whole front nine, really,” said Hammer. “And then a few holes on the back and then holes four, five, and six got away from me a little bit. But it’s a tough course. If you don’t put your ball on the fairways some bad things can happen. And unfortunately, I missed too many fairways.”
CADDIE TROUBLES
Damian Moore was unable to caddie for Stephen Gallacher after spraining his right ankle during a Wednesday practice round, but Gareth Lloyd, who sprained his wrist after falling Wednesday, still carried the bag for co-leader Henrik Stenson.