McIlroy endures bruising finish to opening round
Spaun ends with one-stroke lead over Thriston Lawrence
There was a Thursday spell where it felt like Oakmont had poked the bear. Rory McIlroy was two under par, he had fired a drive 392 yards; it felt as if the Masters champion had his mojo back. McIlroy has been in uncharted, strange psychological territory since completion of the career grand slam at Augusta National in April.
Oakmont and the US Open then jabbed back in the manner only Oakmont and the US Open know. By the time McIlroy walked from the ninth green, his last, he had taken 74 shots including a second half of 41. He took a double-bogey five at the 8th. McIlroy’s demeanour showed he still cares.
This score was not in itself disastrous. McIlroy missed the cut here in 2016, meaning pre-event expectations may not have been particularly high. Shane Lowry, playing in McIlroy’s company this time, slumped to a 79. Justin Rose could manage no better than 77. Scottie Scheffler 73, Dustin Johnson 75. Johnson, Oakmont’s champion in 2016, clean shanked an iron from the middle of the fairway at one point. It is just difficult to square the sensation that was McIlroy donning the Green Jacket with what has transpired since.
