LOS ANGELES – Rory McIlroy’s first shot of the 2023 US Open went 380 yards from the first tee – the longest putt of the day on that hole. One of McElroy’s final three shots, however, traveled only two inches after he nearly missed the ball on a chip off the 18th green. What happened in between resulted in a 5-under 65 that included a 9-under par of 30, the lowest nine-hole score of his major championship career.
McIlroy kicked off Thursday’s first round by making short birdie on the par-5 first hole. The 2011 US Open champion proceeded to make four more birdies on the front side, including the long 7th hole (played to 258 yards), where McIlroy hit it to two feet.
The nine players at the Los Angeles Country Club were a different story. McIlroy could not continue his hot start and instead powered his way through the difficult holes by making five straight home runs. It wasn’t until the par-3 short 15th hole, where he hit a rounding wedge to about 10 feet and dried the putt, that he was able to add another birdie to his tally to go 6-under.
The final stretch proved difficult for McIlroy, who was part of the afternoon wave, which scored higher than the morning sets. On the 16th, he missed his approach away from the green, and a frustrated McIlroy raised his head to the sky in disappointment. He was only able to achieve equality. The 17th hole was a similar story. After 357 yards, he let himself go 32 feet to birdie as he fell back on his way to capitalizing on another par.
By the time McIlroy hit another 300-plus-yard drive on the 18th hole, he was trying to hang on to a 6-under score. The finishing slot didn’t allow him. His iron shot missed to the left of the green to land in the thick Bermuda bottom around the bunkers. He tried to control the recovery shot from his short side, and the ball barely moved off the hard lie.
After reversing his second rough shot, McIlroy tried again and got on the roof. The 11-foot bogeyman was no small feat, but the world’s third-ranked player sank him to finish fifth.
Despite being tied for fifth after the Tour, McIlroy did not speak to the media. This is the second time this week that he has not met with journalists. While the reason is unknown, it follows the PGA Tour’s announcement of a partnership between the tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which funds the LIV golf tour.