Rory McIlroy Satisfied with US Open Round 1 Score After Previous Struggles at Shinnecock

Rory McIlroy says he felt he had "a really good day" after hitting a 1-under 69 in Thursday's windy opening round of the 2026 U.S. Open despite his previous struggles at Shinnecock Hills.

McIlroy missed the cut on the same course at the 2018 U.S. Open after tying for the highest score of his PGA Tour career.

"I think with the conditions today, anything under par, anything even around even par, is a good score," McIlroy told reporters Thursday. "It was a day to really just keep yourself in the tournament, and not shoot yourself out of it, which is exactly what I did eight years ago here."

McIlroy had a shot at taking the solo lead with an eagle midway through the back nine, only to record bogeys on his final two holes.

"It's so tough. It's so difficult," McIlroy said. "I didn't feel like I I hit two bad iron shots in the last two holes, and put myself in pretty difficult spots, and wasn't able to get it up and down. But overall, a really good day."

Thursday's outing marked an 11-stroke improvement over Mclroy's last opening round at Shinnecock Hills.

McIlroy opened the 2018 U.S. Open with a 10-over 80, following up with an even-par second round but still missing the cut for a third straight tournament.

"I think the big thing was I needed to change my mindset," McIlroy said about overcoming his past U.S. Open struggles.

McIroy also said conditions had improved on the Shinnecock greens, which have been famously criticized by players for their difficulty.

In four previous U.S. Opens held on the Long Island course, only nine percent of rounds have been played below par, per BBC's Steve Sutcliffe. Only three of 654 players have finished the tournament under par, per The Athletic's Justin Ray.

McIlroy will look to make history by staying under par when the second round continues Friday. The 30-time PGA Tour winner and six-time major champion is set to tee off Round 2 with Ludvig Åberg and Tommy Fleetwood at 1:47 p.m. ET.