Rory McIlroy joined Olympic’s famed ‘Graveyard of Champions’ in bogeying four of his closing five holes for a shock seven over par 77 on day one of the U.S. Open.
McIlroy ended the first day of his defence of the U.S. Open to trail 11 shots behind unsung American Michael Thompson who carded a four under par 66 to lead the field by a surprise three strokes.
- Rory McIlroy splashes out of a bunker at the 7th hole on route to a shock 77. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
McIlroy was in trouble from the outset when he bogeyed the first and it progressed no better for the World No. 2 with further bogeys at five, seven, nine and the 12th.
He recorded the only birdie of his round at the par three, 12th hole ahead of his disappointing finish on day one in the Golden Gate City.
“I got off to a decent start and then it’s just so tough here if you put yourself out of position at all,” he said.
“It’s so tough to make your pars from there. I just, too many times just was in the wrong position off the tee or with my second shot and it makes it very difficult.
“When you’re trying to play catch‑up on this golf course it’s very hard.
“I was able to make one birdie out there today.
“I need to try to make more tomorrow and limit the mistakes. But you have to be so precise. Anything just a little off and it really punishes you. You have to be precise with your tee shots and your iron shots and leave it on the right side of the pins and today I didn’t really do any of that.”
