Rory McIlroy birdied two of his first three holes on Thursday to seize the early lead of the fog-hit US Open, while top-ranked Scottie Scheffler parred to began his bid for a career Grand Slam.

McIlroy tees off alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Aberg on Thursday

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McIlroy, Lowry and a punishing Long Island layout lie in wait as the American chases golfing immortality

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and world number two Rory McIlroy made final US Open preparations on Wednesday in the last practice session before a major showdown at formidable…

Rory McIlroy birdied two of his first three holes on Thursday to seize the early lead of the fog-hit US Open, while top-ranked Scottie Scheffler parred to began his bid for a…

The Northern Irishman carded a one-under 69 on day one.

McIlroy’s 69 was 11 strokes better than his opening effort at Shinnecock Hills in 2018.

Rory McIlroy was happy to see the US Golf Association slow the greens in Thursday's first round of the US Open with brutal winds testing top golfers at Shinnecock.

Scottie Scheffler, the world number one and a US Open win away from completing career Grand Slam, struggled with some facets of his game

McIlroy is in position to win the U.S. Open after the first round, despite some menacing wind.

McIlroy was able to ‘minimise mistakes’ in round one at Shinnecock Hills as a one-under round of 69 put him near the top of the leaderboard

Rory McIlroy was in a larger group on one under but would have been higher had he not bogeyed his final two holes.

A weather-delayed opening day created challenges and opportunities for the field with Rory McIlroy in touch after his first round

The American had one birdie against a pair of bogeys and a double bogey on the front nine

The opening round of the U.S. Open was a tale of two waves. The morning wave had to deal with wind and harsh conditions, while the afternoon wave was able to at

The US Open was delayed by two hours due to fog on Thursday morning and Rory McIlroy appeared to be frustrated with the situation before he even teed off at Shinnecock Hills

The Masters champion was four shots behind the leader at the turn at Shinnecock Hill.

The Masters champion was four shots behind the leader at the turn at Shinnecock Hill

Three bogeys in a row and a double bogey on the back nine doomed Rory McIlroy's hopes of pushing the leaders Friday at the US Open, but he fancies his chances just the same.

Follow all the action from Shinnecock Hills in New York