Rory McIlroy Talks Course Setup After Solid First‑Day Score

Rory McIlroy started the US Open strong, shooting a 69 at Shinnecock Hills. He was pleased with his play but admitted that two bogeys on the last holes could have lowered his score if he had been given a different setup. The 37‑year‑old from Northern Ireland now has just 54 holes left and sits one shot behind the leaders. McIlroy praised his all‑round game, noting he avoided major trouble and executed a great putting job. He said that under‑par would win the tournament, but the challenging conditions on day one might prompt him to adjust that view. He highlighted the course’s difficulty, with slow, receptive greens and 30‑mile‑hour winds adding extra pressure on the world’s best players.During a post‑round interview, McIlroy said that any score around even par or below was good given the day’s conditions. He explained that his strategy was to stay in the tournament and avoid mistakes, a mindset he used successfully eight years ago at the same venue. He admitted that two poor iron shots on the final holes left him in tough spots, but overall he felt the day went well. McIlroy described the greens as slow and receptive, which he believes is appropriate for a challenging course. He noted that the USGA set up the layout wisely, especially by starting with 156 on the first two days to keep players moving without major issues. The course design, he said, tests top golfers effectively. Looking ahead, McIlroy feels confident that his opening round positions him well for contention by Sunday afternoon.