They tried to tell us. That you don’t attack Pinehurst No 2 as much as survive it. That the signature slippery greens of this Donald Ross gem in the shape of inverted saucers are up against the outer limits of fairness. That there will be blood.
Someone forgot to tell Rory McIlroy, who made a roaring start in his latest bid to end a decade-long chase for a fifth major title with a five-under-par 65 to match the lowest round ever shot in a US Open at Pinehurst, where America’s national championship is taking place for the fourth time since 1999.
