McIlroy Cards Steady 69 at U.S. Open, Reflects on Transformation Since 2018 Struggles

Rory McIlroy posted a composed first-round 69 at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, finishing 1-under par despite challenging conditions and two closing bogeys. The performance represents a marked improvement from his 2018 debut at the same venue, where he shot 80 and missed the cut—a turning point that prompted McIlroy to fundamentally reassess his approach to major championships.

Following his first round, McIlroy credited his mindset shift to a realization that occurred after the 2018 tournament. "I remember feeling so much in my comfort zone going to [Travelers] and thinking to myself, 'I've got this backwards,'" he recalled. "I should be in my comfort zone at Shinnecock and not here." This epiphany led him to journal a clear directive: to build his game specifically to compete and excel at major championships and the toughest competitive tests. Since 2018, McIlroy has finished inside the top 10 at the U.S. Open in six of the past seven years, demonstrating the success of his approach.

McIlroy emphasized that his transformation involved more than technical changes to his swing. "I needed to change my mindset," he said, explaining that he has worked on flighting the ball, hitting precise yardages, wedge play, short-game execution, and putting—skills he views as essential for excelling at majors. His round on Thursday showcased this development, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole after a 192-yard pitching wedge approach, and he gained 2.73 strokes on the green, ranking ninth among competitors.

McIlroy acknowledged the difficulty of Thursday's conditions, noting that "anything under par or anything around even par is a good score." He currently sits five strokes behind leader Wyndham Clark, who stands at 6-under par with two holes remaining after play was suspended due to darkness. Despite finishing with consecutive bogeys, McIlroy is well-positioned to contend as the tournament progresses, having successfully avoided the fate that befell him eight years earlier at the same course.