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Golf Monthly
Golf Monthly
Sport
Michael Weston

Rory McIlroy And Patrick Cantlay Share US Open Lead At Pinehurst No.2

Tiger Woods Brooks Koepka Collin Morikawa US Open Matt Fitzpatrick Ludvig Aberg Matteo Manassero Scottie Scheffler Cantlay Finau
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Patrick Cantlay and Rory McIlroy are the co leaders after day one of the US Open at Pinehurst No.2 after both shot a five-under-par 65, a score which has only ever been bettered in a U.S. Open at Pinehurst by Martin Kaymer. Cantlay finished with three birdies in five holes and only putted 23 times during his round. 

Rory McIlroy has played the seventh bogey-free round in U.S. Open history at Pinehurst No. 2. The last three times that McIlroy has opened with a bogey-free round in a Major, he has gone on to win.

Ludvig Aberg, who is playing in his first US Open, hit all 14 fairways and only missed two Greens In Regulation in his 66, and lies third.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler struggled to locate the fairways, finding only six all day. He carded a creditable 71 in the circumstances.

Tiger Woods started brightly, and was one under after his first six holes, but subsided to a four-over par 74.

US Open Leaderboard: early leaders

  • -5 Cantlay, McIlroy
  • -4 Aberg
  • -3 Pavon, DeChambeau
  • -2 Finau, Hatton, Bhatia
  • -1 Kim, Conners, Garcia, Bennett, Rai, Suber

Live updates from...

Good morning from Pinehurst No.2. What a day we have in store here, with Tiger Woods out this morning and then the huge grouping of McIlroy, Schauffele and Scheffler this afternoon.

TIGER READY TO GO

It's a beautiful morning at Pinehurst and the star grouping of Woods, Fitzpatrick and Zalatoris are ready to off the 10th tee.

It's a long par 5 to start (over 600 yards) but at least presents a good opportunity to get away with a par.

Scoring is already proving high with Matteo Manassero propping the field up at +3 after two holes.

TIGER WOODS GETS GOING

Will Zalatoris up first and he stripes a drive down the middle. The 2022 champion Matt Fitzpatrick does the same and Woods absolutely stripes one.

Despite all the surgeries and his 48-years-of-age, Woods is comfortably the longest with a high, bomb fade.

MORE BIG NAMES UP NEXT

We have Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Brooks Koepka teeing off in five minutes.

Cameron Smith is just up ahead of the Woods group, playing alongside Sam Burns and Lucas Glover.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF THIS 

GREAT PAR SAVE FROM CAM SMITH

The Aussie is favored to do very well this week and he's just holed a good 10-footer for par on the long par 5 10th. 

It took that group a good 20 minutes to play the opening hole...six hour rounds seem likely.

TIGER WAYWARD WITH 2ND SHOT

He hits a high, slice with a 3-wood into the par 5 10th and it's gone into the native stuff. Looks to have found a good lie, though.

Matt Fitzpatrick hit a stunning 3-wood into the green, coming up just shy. He'll have a good birdie look you'd imagine.

TIGER WITH THE PINK/WHITE STRIPES TODAY

Wearing his new Sun Day Red apparel, of course.

The logo has 15 stripes for his 15 Major wins, which he is hoping will need replacing one day.

LOVELY PITCH SHOT FROM WOODS

He hits a delightful, spinny pitch shot from the waste area and he'll have around 10ft for an opening birdie. Solid start.

ZALATORIS...OUCH

The American knifes one through the back of the 10th green and he's now in danger of dropping at least one stroke here.

Fitzpatrick, with his cross-handed chipping, has hit a gorgeous one inside 3ft. That'll be an opening birdie for the 2022 champ.

JUSTIN THOMAS...A SNEAKY OUTSIDER THIS WEEK?

It seems odd to describe JT as an outsider but that's what the betting odds were showing. It's going to be a ball striker's paradise this week and he is 6th in tee-to-green and 5th in approach-the-green on the PGA Tour this year.

The two-time Major champion has hit a delightful shot into the 1st and will have a good look at birdie.

OUCH AGAIN FOR ZALATORIS

Just like Manassero earlier, Zalatoris has putted it up to the green from behind the 10th and it's rolled straight back down to his feet.

WOODS BIRDIE!

He rolls in a gentle left-to-righter from just outside 10ft to get off to the perfect start.

Here's his opening drive from earlier:

MICKELSON AND FOWLER OFF

Rickie Fowler has split the fairway at the 1st while playing partner Phil Mickelson has pushed one up the left.

WOODS STRIPES IT AGAIN

Tiger looks very confident with the big stick this morning. He hits another bomb fade, 176mph ball speed and is in perfect position at the tough par 4 11th.

Fitzpatrick has missed the fairway right into the wire grass while Tom McKibbin has just got to one-under.

Woods wide with approach

Tiger safely aboard the 2nd green but he's a long way from the flag. In cricketing terms, that's a wide. Talking of cricket, anyone watching the T20 World Cup. No? Thought not. 

Putter from off the green

Fitz is putting from off the green. We see this more at The Open, which we have to look forward to - that's next month at Royal Troon. Anyway, the former US Open champ will probably wish he'd had a chip as that putt has rolled off the green. He makes amends with a chip to give himself a slippery putt for bogey. 

Over to Woods who's putting from a different zip code. It's superb. 60 feet, maybe, and it rolls out to just a few inches. Good start from the 15-time Major champion. 

New leader! Logan Mac

Logan McAllister makes the first eagle of the week and he's -2 through five holes. Matt Fitzpatrick cleans up from five feet - drops back to level. A good bogey in the end. 

Struggles for Manassero 

It's great to see the Italian back in Major action, especially after his long struggles. However, he's endured a horror start at Pinehurst. He started on 10, where he made an 8 and he followed that up with a double at 12 and a bogey at 14. It all adds up to +6.  

What a shot

Here's that shot that got Logan McAllister to the top of the leaderboard - and what a beauty it was. I'm not sure we'll see too many better ones this week, although Cantlay has just holed a bunker shot. 

Chances on 5

Another eagle drops on the 5th. Anyone getting off to a rocky start at least has the 5th to put things right. Frederik Kjettrup with a saucy three (see what we did there?) Meanwhile, a Woods escape of old - terrible iron shot with his approach into a bunker. He plays a beauty of a third over another trap and rolls in a 12-footer for par. That took us back a good few years. Vintage. 

McAllister remains in the lead at -2. There are a lot of players at -1, so many in fact that we're not going to list them! Not yet. Back to Woods who's on the tee at the 13th. Iron finds the short stuff and he'll have the perfect line in to attack the flag. 

Feature group all long

The early feature group of Fitzpatrick, Woods and Zalatoris have all gone through the back of the 13th. It will be interesting to see how they play their third shots - there are many different options. None of them are in what you'd call big trouble. For the club golfer with chipping yips, it might be a different story. Tie lies, fast greens... I'm putting all day long. 

This is going to be one of the most entertaining aspects of this week. I find myself almost willing these guys to miss the greens - great to watch. 

Pinehurst being Pinehurst 

Woods grinds out par

After a sloppy putt from off the green, Woods cleans up again from mid range. Two loose irons could have cost him there but he grinds out pars. He stays at -1 and heads to the 14th tee (his fifth) where we've already seen a couple of eagles. It's another good drive, too.

Someone called Ludvig Aberg, meanwhile, hit the top (-2). More on him shortly...

Another eagle on 5

Corey Conners makes eagle on 5. This is a hole players are really going to need to take advantage of by the looks of it. 

A word on the crowds...

They're the knowledgable type here, the type you get at The Open. Polite applause, a few oohs and aahs when the players miss in the wrong places. It's making for a terrific atmosphere early on here. 

Woods misses a good opportunity at the 14th to get to -2, millimetres wide after a decent approach. 

15th tee , Woods, 6-iron...

Woods is on to the par-3 15. Finds the putting surface, some 35 feet away. Anything on the green is good on this hole as the run off is quite severe - as Zalatoris is about to find out. 

Sergio Garcia is going along nicely at -1 and there are a few other notable names on the leaderboard, including Cantlay and Finau (also both -1). 

Safe par for Woods

Woods cosies one up to the 15th to make a nice par from distance. If he ever decides to retire and ditch senior golf, he'd surely be quite handy on a bowls green - his feel is incredible. 

Leader highlights

As promised, a few highlights from your leader at -2. Aberg has made a fine start to his first US Open. 

15-way tie 

No sooner do we post highlights of the leader than the Swede makes his first bogey of the day, and that's now 15 players sharing the lead at -1. 

Koepka right there

Brooks Koepka just misses out on an opportunity to get to -2. The LIV player is looking for a hat-trick of US Open titles this week to go with his three PGA Championships. That would tidy things up nicely. Must be annoying having an odd number of Majors. 

Woods back to level

His first dropped shot of the day is because of an errant tee shot. He's forced to chip out sideways and can't up-and-down it from 60 yards, his 15-footer from beyond the hole just shaving the edge of the cup. 

Koepka to -2

Brooks does get his birdie. He's actually putting on a bit of a stripe show alongside Collin Morikawa. Sadly, Collin pulls his putt from about 3 foot rather badly. Brooks to -2 and Morikawa stays -1. 

Back-to-back bogeys 

Woods slips to +1 after a sloppy three putt at the par-3 17th. He's seething. Frenchman Matthieu Pavon joins Koepka atop the leaderboard on -2. 

Shipley from downtown 

Those trousers.... and that hair. Nice putt, Neal. 

Elsewhere...

Sahith Theegala would very much like to start his opening round again. He's started as follows: 5, 5, 6, 5, 5, 5... That's +7 through six holes. Ouch. Phil Mickelson is +5. The  US Open is the one Major Lefty hasn't won and it doesn't look like he'll be getting his hands on it on Sunday.  

Pictures from Pinehurst 

Time for some pictures from Pinehurst, North Carolina, where the sun in shining everything is looking rather splendid... 

Woods +1

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Woods was grinding early but has dropped back to +1. He's found the center of the fairway down the 1st (his 10th). 

Koepka looking strong 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Brooks Koepka is currently leading at -2 and looking very much in control of his game. 

Aberg in the mix

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Ludvig Aberg is playing in his first US Open and finds himself right up there. It's no longer a surprise. The Swede, who finished second at the Masters in April, is the real deal.

Willie Mack starts well

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Willie Mack III has also made a good start. The 35-year-old sits in the large group at -1. 

All change at the top

Well, not quite all change - Brooks is still there. In fact, he's just rolled in a birdie at 10 to take the lead by one. In behind him we have a group of five players on -2, including Edoardo Molinari. 

Woods, meanwhile, has slipped back at +2 with three bogeys in the space of four holes. 

Brooks Leads At -3

Here's Brooks Koepka rolling in that birdie at 10 to take the outright lead. Koepka became the first LIV player to win a Major when he won the PGA Championship last year. You wouldn't bet against him winning his third US Open here this week. He's got that Major strut going on and a fierce determination that we normally see from him in Major Championships.  

Leader in trouble

Koepka finds the sandy waste area off the 11th tee but he somehow manages to muscle that one out - how do they always do that? Pinehurst No.2's green says no, and guides the ball, which went straight at the pin, into a greenside bunker. 

Lucky to have not found a grassy clump with his wayward drive, unlucky not to leave himself a very makable putt. 

Three at the top

Koepka makes a very good save from the trap at 11. He's been joined at the top (-3) by Aberg and Pavon. Finau battling at the long par-4 2nd, some 508 yards. He's going to have about eight feet for par. Watching Aberg and Koepka going about their business and you could be forgiven for thinking it's not so hard out there, but everyone has their hand down, grinding. 

Big Move! 

Pavon two clear with an eagle at 10 - jumps to -5. 

Woods struggling 

He was joint leader early on, but he's suddenly nine shots back. On the bogey train is Woods, his latest dropped shot coming at the 4th. What he wouldn't do for an eagle at the par-5 5th. It could be a short stay in North Carolina for the 15-time Major champion. 

Leaderboard check

Scrolling down the leaderboard and it's good to see Daniel Berger back playing after a long spell battling injury. I'd quite like to see Berger and Kjettrup playing together at the weekend. 

Some big names are struggling: Mickelson (+7), Theegala (+6), Thomas (+6), Dustin Johnson (+4). 

Eagle chance for Woods

That's more like it. A long iron into the par-5 5th and it's a beauty. A nice two putt birdie and it'll stop the bleeding. Could do with rolling it in, mind you. 

Pinehurst Bites Back

Pavon and Koepka both drop shots to move back to -4 and -2, respectively. Let's be honest, it didn't quite look right for a player to be at -5. 

Woods stops the rot

Woods does make a birdie to stop the rot. However, no sooner does Pinehurst No.2 give you a chance on the 5th, then it looks to take one back on the 230-yard par-3 6th. Can Woods somehow get another birdie before his day his done? +2 wouldn't be a bad day's work. 

Pavon remains in front

Pavon avoids dropping his second shot in two holes in decent fashion- rolling in a 20-footer at the 12th. He keeps his nose in front by one. 

Short game test

Koepka asks his 7-iron to sit at the par-3 15th. It does not. Aberg is 11/11 for fairways, and finds another on the 4th. The Swede has looked the most impressive player out there today. 

Back to the par-3 6th where we find Woods. He hits a beauty over the flag but it rolls on through. It's really not easy out there. More short game skills required, maybe a putter for Woods. 

Greens to receive water

That's what we're hearing. They'll get some water every night. A painful smile from Morikawa who could be racking up a bit of a number here. He's chopped out greenside and the ball has rolled back to his feet. The same happens when he tries to putt the ball up the slope. 

Koepka, who looked so in control early on, drops a shot and shows a bit of anguish there. He's not alone. There are some painful expressions all around. 

Aberg hits the top

Aberg continues to look impressive. They're saying there aren't many birdies out there - which is true - but the Swede has found five of them. He joins Pavon at the top on -4 courtesy of a birdie at the par-5 5th. 

Cantlay joins the leaders

What a putt from the American - he joins the leaders at -4. That's just the second birdie so far today at the par-3 6th. The tee shot wasn't bad either. He then gets to work on the 20-footer and judges the break perfectly. 

Cantlay on the move

Here's how Cantlay moved to the top of the leaderboard. He's -4 alongside Pavon. Aberg has dropped back to -3 after finding himself in an awkward spot greenside at the 6th. 

The demands of Pinehurst 

If you didn't know by now, Pinehurst No.2 demands a certain precision... at all times. 

Cam Smith in at +1

Not a bad day's work for the Aussie who strokes one in for birdie on his final hole. Most players would have taken a 71 before hitting a ball, expect for Scheffler perhaps. Talking of the World No.1, make sure you scrap any plans you've made as he'll be off a little later with Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele (1.14pm EDT). 

Woods nearing the end

When does Tiger call it a day, eh? It's great to see him playing but it's like we're cheering him on just to make the cut these days, almost from his first tee shot. You simply can't rock up at Majors and expect to be there in contention on Sunday - no matter who you are or what you have on your CV.

Super finish from Collin

Holes his bunker shot on 17, rolls in a monster on 18. Collin Morikawa back to level. That's one of the reasons he's a multiple Major champion. Two doubles on his card but he doesn't give in and gets his rewards at the end of the round. 

New leader

Well, Xander Schauffele got a monkey off his back by winning the PGA Championship last month, his first Major title. Could this be Cantlay's week? He takes the sole lead at -5 courtesy of a birdie on 8, and then gives himself a chance to shoot a 64 with a decent tee shot at the 9th. A 64 would be the lowest score ever shot in a US Open at Pinehurst. 

Slow start from Woods 

Not what Woods would have wanted. It's not surprising, though, is it? This just playing the Majors strategy is too big a task even for him.

Almost!

A 65 from classy Cantlay - his birdie effort looked good all the way but misses narrowly. 

Cantlay with a first 

This is an interesting stat. Can Cantlay build on what was an excellent first day's work as he goes in search of his first Major Championship? 

Classy from Cantlay 

This is a rather good looking card. Aberg rolls one in for a birdie and he opens up with a 66. 

On the tee

Rory, Scottie and Xander. Heard of them? 

Marquee group underway 

Schauffele, Scheffler and McIlroy all find the fairway. The par-4 1st is a gentle opener. Rory, maybe looking to make his intention clear early on, takes dead aim and is by some way the closest to the pin. He'll have about eight feet for birdie. 

Out on the range we see Tiger Woods, which is good because he's obviously feeling good enough physically to hit more balls. 

A rare wide from Scottie

Scheffler misses right off the tee on the 2nd. That one looked a bit out of sync. Xander and McIlroy find the short stuff. Scheffler has 195 yards to go. Must have had a good enough lie as he stripes that one and it just rolls off the green.

Schauffele plays second and hits a stunning 7-iron to six feet; McIlroy's 8-iron solid enough. Outside chance of a birdie. 

Solid from Sergio

It's actually better than solid. Just the sixth bogey-free round at a Pinehurst US Open. Incredible stuff from the Spaniard. 

Xander makes first move

The new PGA champ makes the first move in the superstar group, calmly slotting home a five footer at the difficult 2nd. Onto the 3rd and Scheffler pulls one a little off the tee - should be Ok but he hasn't quite settled. I'm sure it won't be long until he holes out from the fairway. 

SCHEFFLER DROPS AN EARLY SHOT

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is underway but has dropped a shot already with a five at the par four third after finding a bunker off the tee and more sand with his second. 

SCHEFFLER FINDS MORE SAND OFF FOURTH TEE

McIlroy has found the fairway on the fourth but Schauffele has missed the fairway on the left side and Scheffler has gone right off the tee. Scheffler is yet to find his stride in his opening round.

SCHEFFLER HAS A NEW HAIRCUT AND MUST HOPE HIS GAME SHARPENS UP TOO 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Scheffler has gone for a short back and sides but he could drop another shot at the fourth if he is not careful after his bunker shot came up just short of the green. He avoids that fate after a trademark brilliant chip but playing partners Schauffele and McIlroy have birdie looks though after fine approaches from 200 yards before McIlroy makes his.

TRIO OF STAR NAMES TACKLE THE PAR 5 FIFTH

McIlroy has gone right off the tee into the native area at the par 5 fifth where he is joined by Schauffele while Scheffler ran out of fairway on the left. Only Scheffler makes the green in regulation with a birdie look.

QUALIFIER ROBERT ROCK IN THE CLUBHOUSE AFTER LEVEL PAR ROUND

What a round from English qualifier Robert Rock,47, who booked a ticket to Pinehurst at Walton Heath and has opened up with a level par round to sit currently tied 22nd. Rock said: "Every shot requires all of your focus. Every drive has to be good. Even the putts you have to be a bit wary. I managed to keep my focus and I was really pleased with that."

RORY McILROY CHIPS IN FOR BIRDIE AT THE FIFTH

What a superb chip from McIlroy at the fifth to bag a second successive birdie as he moves to -2. Class from McIlroy who failed to reach the green in three after being hampered by the native bunkers. He is three shots better already than playing partners Scheffler and Schauffele who are both +1

THE 230-YARD PAR 3 SIXTH IS PLAYING TOUGH TODAY

Ouch that is brutal. McIlroy fires an iron into the heart of the par 3 sixth where it lands in the middle of the green, runs through and leaves McIlroy 59 feet from the flag! Scheffler does find the front of the green but Schauffele's ball spins back into a collection area short of the green. Schauffele and McIlroy save par but Scheffler has ironically dropped another shot to slip to +2 despite being the only one of the trio to be on the green.

BETTER FROM SCHEFFLER AT THE PAR FOUR SEVENTH 

Scheffler has been very erratic by his standards so far but he has split the seventh fairway with an iron to open up an approach to the dogleg par four. His looks the best tee shot of the trio as McIlroy and Schauffele have gone right off the tee.

McILROY LOOKS DIALLED IN TODAY 

McIlroy has hit a superb shot into the par four seventh from 176 yards to give himself a look at birdie from 22 feet. Scheffler's approach is even better from 158 yards to 12 feet as he makes his first birdie to get to +1 while McIlroy makes par to stay -2 and Schauffele fails to get up and down from the sand and is now +2.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

TIGER TURNS GOLFING GURU FOR PAL THOMAS

Tiger Woods finished +4 today and was helping his old pal Justin Thomas afterwards on the range following his compatriot's round of +7. 

SCHEFFLER SETTLING DOWN INTO HIS OLD ROUTINE

Fresh from his birdie at the seventh, Scheffler has found the fairway off the tee at the eighth to leave himself 167 yards to the hole as he makes the putting surface while playing partners Schauffele and McIlroy didn't but they all end up making par.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU GOING WELL

Bryson, who lit up the PGA Championship where he came runner-up, hit seven out of seven greens in regulation today. He is -1  after starting on the 10th but has just gone through the back of the 17th into the sand as his run of greens in regulation came to an end. 

FORMER PINEHURST CHAMPION MICHAEL CAMPBELL ADMITS SCHEFFLER ASKED TO PICK HIS BRAINS

Michael Campbell is back at Pinehurst this week for the first time since winning in 2005. He revealed: "Scottie came up to me and said: 'Hi I am Scottie Scheffler', he said: 'have you got any tips for me?' I said: 'no, I think you have got this'. For a guy like that to come up to me and say those words, sums up the whole week."

STAR TRIO HEAD TO 10TH

McIlroy makes a stress free par on the ninth to reach the turn -2, while Scheffler and Schauffele are both +1 after a par and a birdie respectively before the turn.

McILROY WITH A POTENTIAL BIRDIE OPPORTUNITY AT 10TH

McIlroy has used his powerful play to blaze his second at the 619-yard par 5 10th to the edge of the green with a 276-yard fairway wood. Scheffler is just short in pitching distance after two while Schauffele has remarkably found the putting green with an iron from 274 yards for an eagle putt as McIlroy and Schauffele make birdies. Only 10% of the field have got their ball around the green in two.

DECHAMBEAU TURNS ENTERTAINER AGAIN

Bryson DeChambeau , who started on the 10th, thrilled fans on the 18th by chipping in for a birdie to get to -2 after a faultless nine holes. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

TIGER ASSESSES HIS OPENING 74

Woods, reflecting on his opening 74, said: "I felt I drove the ball well but didn't capitalise. I thought I did the one thing I needed to do. But the greens are right where they want them and pins are up on the crest of the grain. You just have to make a bunch of pars and a birdie here and there."

SCHEFFLER IN THE FESCUE AT THE 12TH 

McIlroy, who is -3, has boomed a 329-yard drive down the middle of the 12th fairway but Schauffele, who is even, has missed the fairway on the left along with Scheffler , who is a shot back at +1. McIlroy's birdie putt then just slides by but he makes par as does Schauffele and Scheffler.

McILROY AND SCHAUFFELE TO HAVE BIRDIE CHANCES AT 13TH

McIlroy looks set to have a birdie chance at the 13th where he has split the fairway off the tee at the 384-yard par 4 . Schauffele has also hit a good tee shot but Scheffler has missed on the right and is in the sand again. The world No.1 fires his approach through the green where Schauffele is 18 feet away after hitting driver off the tee and McIlroy is 27 feet away.

History favours Scheffler, but today is not going to script

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Scottie Scheffler has just missed the fairway on the 14th, the seventh fairway out of 12 he has missed so far. He lies T42.

Scheffler came into this event in fine form, with his five wins already this season including the Masters. The last player to enter at US Open with at least five seasonal wins under his belt which also included the Masters was Arnold Palmer. He did so twice. In 1960, he had won the Masters by a shot from Ken Venturi, and went on to win the US Open.

In 1962 Palmer had had six wins, including winning the Masters’ first three-way playoff. He then went on to lose a playoff, to Jack Nicklaus, for the US Open. But he won The Open Championship by six shots, the seventh of his eight victories that season.

In 1980 Tom Watson had five PGA Tour wins before the US Open, but had finished T3 at the Masters. He finished T12 at the US Open, but went won The Open Championship later that season, one of his eight tour wins that year.

Poston out of position

His first four shots on the 389-yard 4th hole have found sand, His drive went into a  fairway bunker. Then he found a greenside bunker, from which he chipped out and across the green into more sand. From here he pitched out, back across the green and back into the bunker he had played his third shot from. He walks off with  a double bogey 6

What does a winning score in the US Open normally look like?

Well there is no normal. It could be almost anything. In the past 18 years the winning score has ranged from twice being 5 over par to twice being 16 under par.

Super sub suber

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jackson Suber was a late call up for this event when Jon Rahm withdrew through injury. Suber was the first alternate from the Rockville, Md., final qualifier. He plays on the Korn Ferry Tour where he has missed his last four cuts.

But he has just birdied the 13th to go tied sixth, at 2 under.

Staggering Scottie Stat

To be fair there have been a few this year, such has been his dominance. But this one is particularly striking – coming into this tournament he has only been over par in a tournament for 21 holes. Today he went over par when he bogeyed the par-4 3rd, and has remained over par ever since. He has just bogeyed 16 to go to 2 over.

LIV golfers doing well

Bryson DeChambeau is T2, Tyrrell Hatton T6, Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia are T8.

How the dozen LIV golfers in the field qualified

(Image credit: Getty Images)

With 12 players in this 156-man field, this is LIV’s lowest representation in a Major since LIV launched in June 2022. It could have been 13, but Jon Rahm, the US Open winner of 2021, withdrew through injury. Six have qualified as a recent Major winner, one qualified through the PGA Tour and another through the DP World Tour, and four came through US Open final qualifying:

Martin Kaymer: US Open winner of 2014
Dustin Johnson: US Open winner of 2016
Brooks Koepka: US Open winner of 2018
Bryson DeChambeau: US Open winner of 2020
Phil Mickelson: PGA Championship winner of 2021
Cameron Smith: Open Championship winner of 2022
Adrian Meronk: One of the top 2 on the 2023 Race to Dubai not already exempt
Tyrrell Hatton: From qualifying for the 2023 Tour Championship
Dean Burmester: Final qualifying
Eugenio Lopez Chacarra: Final qualifying
David Puig: Final qualifying
Sergio Garcia: Final qualifying (as an alternate), pictured
Withdrew - Jon Rahm: US Open winner of 2021

I do like to see putting from off the green

Maybe it is because I learnt to play on a links course, but it always looks natural to me. We have seen a lot of it today. Here Adam Scott shows how (and why) to do it.

McIlroy has a putt on 18 for joint lead

His approach was from 146 yards and he has left himself a 20ft uphill putt.

We have joint leaders

Rory started walking after his putt. He knew he was holing it, He was right. It was the fifth birdie of his round, in which he dropped no shots. McIlroy's bogey-free round is just the seventh in U.S. Open history at Pinehurst No. 2. 

McIlroy's round stats

Fairways 11/14
Greens: 15/18
Putts: 28
Out: 33
In: 32

Good omen for Rory

How Rory went into the joint lead

Scheffler's one-over-par round stats 

Fairways: 6/14
Greens: 12 /18
Putts: 31
Out: 36
In: 35

The number of fairways missed was striking. He found only 43% of the fairways, whereas the average for the field was 67%, and he is T141st for this stat. He currently lies T39 on the leaderboard.

Jackson Suber finishes his round under par

He has shot 69, which makes him one of 16 players currently under par. He made five birdies and four bogeys.

McIlroy has been talking  about his 65

"Felt like I played a really controlled, solid round of golf. Just stayed disciplined – when I got myself in trouble I took my medicine, got out of trouble and hit it to the middle of the greens and two putted. This is the whole thing about a US Open – trying to keep clean scorecards like this. This tournament is not about how many birdies you make but how many bogeys you don’t make."

DeChambeau shoots 67

He joins Pavon in the clubhouse on three under and tied in 4th. He started on the 10th, and only dropped a shot on the 7th hole, the 16th hole he played.

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