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.

Rory McIlroy is getting better treatment from Long Island golf fans at the US Open than he did at last year's Ryder Cup and adds he's confident Shinnecock will not lose the course.

The Masters champion is relishing the challenge.

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