History was on Rory McIlroy's side as he tried to follow up a good start with another step towards a first major title since 2014 at the 124th US Open.
McIlroy carded a stunning, bogey-free 65 to share the overnight lead with American Patrick Cantlay at Pinehurst, both players matching Martin Kaymer's first-round results en route to victory at the same venue in 2014.
Another positive sign for McIlroy is that the last three times he started a major with a bogey-free round – at the 2011 US Open, the 2012 US PGA and the 2014 Open – he went on to win all three.
Two days after reconciling with his wife Erica and dismissing his divorce filing last month, McIlroy bogeyed seven feet for birdie at the fourth, chipped in the next and birdied the 10th, 16th and 18th to match his lowest opening. score at the US Open.
THREE TOP IN THE WORLD
Playing partners Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, winners of the first two majors of the year, shot 71 and 70, respectively.
“I have run there at times when my start in major competitions was not very good. “Maybe I worked on myself a little earlier in the week,” said McIlroy.
“Of course, the big tournaments that I won or played well in, I always seemed to start well, and it's nice to move on to the next one.
“My short game was good in the beginning. I came in at five and had the best ups and downs at six and eight. But other than that, I think I hit every other green. It was a really controlled round of golf.”
McIlroy, Scheffler and Schauffele were among the starters on Friday, hoping to take advantage of what they expected to be perfect conditions.
“Selfishly for me, to get back out there in the morning, it's going to be great,” McIlroy said.
“Hopefully, the clouds will clear, and it's a nice clear day for the boys this afternoon.”
Quote of the day
“The same questions every week. The lack of inquisitive intelligence is boring. I know I'm not a favorite of the media either, so it's not like anyone's going to see you.” – Brooks Koepka explains why he refused interview requests after the opening 70.
Statistics of the day
Senior statistician Justin Ray highlights the remarkable improvement of co-leader Patrick Cantlay.
Shot of the day
The inconsistent amount of sand in the living rooms caused some problems, but not for Nick Dunlap.
The cycle of the day
Patrick Cantlay had set himself an early target with a 65, but McIlroy's round was an impressive bogey-free effort in the difficult afternoon conditions.
A simple hole
One of the two par fives on the course, the fifth played the easiest hole as he gave up an incredible nine eagles, 60 birdies, 13 bogeys and not a single double bogey for a score of 4.580.
A very difficult dungeon
An easy hole was quickly followed by a more difficult one as the sixth yielded just three birdies. A total of 63 bogeys and seven double bogeys resulted in a 3.470 average.
Selected playing times (all BST)
1229 – Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler
1240 – Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland, Max Homa
1825 – Patrick Cantlay, Matt Kuchar, Russell Henley
1836 – Tony Finau, Ludvig Aberg, Dustin Johnson
The weather
After a clear, calm, and comfortable evening Thursday, Friday will be the hottest day of the week, with highs near the mid-90s thanks to light and variable winds.
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