PINEHURST, N.C. – The U.S. Open is officially underway at Pinehurst No. 2, setting the stage for an intense battle at the top of the leaderboard.
As the tournament commenced, all eyes were on Scottie Scheffler, who had been on an impressive streak reminiscent of Tiger Woods’ prime. However, Scheffler’s performance in the first round was rather average, finishing with a 1-over 71, placing him six shots behind the leaders.
Surprisingly, it was Patrick Cantlay who seized the early opportunity to shine. With three birdies in his last five holes, Cantlay carded an impressive 5-under 65, momentarily holding a two-shot lead over the field as he finished his round. Notably, his round of 23 putts marked a career-best for him in a major championship. Ludvig Åberg also impressed in his U.S. Open debut, finishing at 4-under and securing the third position on the leaderboard.
The late wave of the first day saw Rory McIlroy making a significant impact. McIlroy’s bogey-free 65, highlighted by a crucial birdie on the 18th hole, allowed him to share the lead with Cantlay at the end of the day.
McIlroy, despite not securing a major championship win in the last decade, has established a pattern of strong starts at the U.S. Open. Bryson DeChambeau briefly challenged McIlroy but slipped back to 3-under after a late bogey, tying for fourth place with Matthieu Pavon. Tony Finau and Tyrrell Hatton held the sixth position at 2-under. Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka, finishing at even par, opted not to speak to the media after his round.
In the midst of these competitive performances, the U.S. Open promises an exciting and unpredictable journey ahead for the players and spectators alike. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the evolving leaderboard and the engaging narratives that unfold on the challenging Pinehurst No. 2 course.