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Jun 19, 2026 Major2
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McIlroy Posts 1-Under 69 at Shinnecock Hills, Stays in Contention Despite Late Bogeys
Rory McIlroy posted a 1-under 69 in the opening round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, maintaining his position near the top of the leaderboard despite back-to-back bogeys on his final two holes. A three-hole stretch featuring a birdie, par, and an exceptional 18-foot par save and eagle briefly propelled him to the lead, though challenging winds and a two-hour fog delay tested his resolve throughout the day.



Quick Facts
Who
Rory McIlroy
What
Opened U.S. Open round with 1-under 69
When
Thursday opening round
Where
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
- Opened U.S. Open round with 1-under 69
- Made birdie on hole 11
- Made birdie on hole 3
- Executed 18-foot par save on hole 4 from rough
- Made eagle on hole 5
Rory McIlroy delivered a resilient performance in the opening round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, posting a 1-under 69 that kept him near the top of a crowded leaderboard. The 37-year-old Northern Irish golfer showcased moments of brilliance during a three-hole stretch on holes 3, 4, and 5—producing a birdie, par, and eagle—that briefly vaulted him to the lead at 3-under par. The highlight came on the par-4 fourth hole, where McIlroy recovered from sailing his tee shot into the rough 55 yards from the flag by executing an exceptional chip shot over a greenside bunker and sinking an 18-foot putt, pumping his fist as the ball fell.
McIlroy's day was hampered by challenging conditions, including howling winds that twice blew his hat off during swings and a two-hour fog delay that postponed the start of play. Playing in the U.S. Open's split-tee format, he started on the back nine, taking an early lead with birdies on holes 11 and 12 before giving back ground with bogeys on the short par-4 13th hole and the 620-yard par-5 16th. Despite these setbacks, McIlroy emphasized the difficulty of the course and the importance of course management, noting that any under-par score was a positive effort given the conditions.
McIlroy's resilience contrasts sharply with his previous U.S. Open appearance at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, when he posted an opening 80 and exited the tournament early. He also faced a notably different reception from fans this time around; playing alongside Sweden's Ludvig Aberg and England's Tommy Fleetwood, their grouping drew some of the day's largest crowds, with spectators cheering and waving as McIlroy navigated the course. The golfer acknowledged the sting of his finish while expressing satisfaction with his overall performance and his decision to remain patient and keep himself in tournament contention rather than risk shooting himself out of it.
Topics
Why This Matters
McIlroy's solid opening round demonstrates his resilience at a major championship venue where he previously struggled, positioning him competitively in a field of elite golfers. For golf enthusiasts and sports bettors, his ability to manage difficult course conditions and recover from setbacks signals his continued viability as a tournament contender despite previous disappointments at this venue.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 19, 2026
WireTwo-hour fog delay pushes back start of McIlroy's round