news on oil spill: Golf: Inspired McIlroy leads U.S. Open

Friday, June 17, 2011

Golf: Inspired McIlroy leads U.S. Open

Rory McIlroy was once again the talk of golf after the first round of the U.S. Open at Congressional.

(CNN) ? Rory McIlroy once again gave notice of his designs on a major championship after a stunning round of 65 saw him surge to the top of the U.S. Open leaderboard.

The Northern Irishman carded a blemish free round of six-under-par to lead by three shots from Y.E. Yang, of Korea and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, of South Africa.

The 22-year-old led the Masters at Augusta for three rounds back in April, before a humbling final round saw him slump back to finish tied for 15th. He also led the British Open after round one in 2010 before falling away.

But McIlroy showed none of the frailties that cost him the green jacket at Augusta by producing a near flawless performance in Maryland.

He started solidly, but three consecutive birdies at the turn propelled him to the top of a congested leaderboard.

Two more birdies at the 13th and 15th sent him out in front on his own and had he converted a clutch of chances on the final holes, his lead could have been even better.

After his round he told Sky Sports: ?I feel good, to be honest it could have been been a few shots better but I?ll take a 65. I didn?t make many mistakes, I only missed one green, and when you do that it?s pretty good.

Asked how he felt his game was compared to the Masters in April he said: ?It feels pretty similar, I feel very comfortable with every aspect of my game and I feel comfortable on this golf course.

?I need to prove to everyone else that I?ve moved on from Augusta.?

A shot back from Yang and Schwartzel, Open champion Louis Oosthuizen is in a group on two-under including American Ryan Palmer, Sergio Garcia, from Spain, and Brazilian Alexandre Rocha.

Defending champion Graeme McDowell carded a round of one-under to sit five shots behind his compatriot and Ryder Cup teammate McIlroy.

He told the PGA tour?s official web site: ?I feel like I?ve spent the last three months talking about Pebble and defending my Open title, and so somehow coming here this week, I really felt that I had already sort of did all the talking and I was ready to move forward.

?I felt really really good this morning. I felt normal. It felt like a regular major championship. It didn?t feel like I was defending anything. And I just went out there.

?I set myself some challenges this morning to go out and try to think well, try to go through my processes correctly, through my routines, and just be patient and enjoy the round. And I really accomplished those things.?

Former major champions Padraig Harrington, from Ireland, and Argentina?s Angel Cabrera sit on level par while world number one Luke Donald lies on three over, with Lee Westwood a further shot back.