[US Open] 'PGA Hawk' McIlroy's Heated Reason "Trying to Overcome LIV Faction?"

'Third Major' US Open Day 1: 3-Under Tied 2nd, Haedwin Leads by 1 Stroke, Johnson Tied 9th at 2-Under in 'Chase'

Rory McIlroy is reading the putting line on the 9th hole during the first day of the 122nd US Open, his third major. Brooklyn, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] 'Number 3' Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) heated up.

On the 17th (Korean time) at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA (Par 70, 7,264 yards), during the first day of the 122nd US Open, the third major of the season (total prize money $17.5 million), McIlroy hit the rough on the 5th hole (Par 4), and when his shot landed in the bunker, he struck the sand twice in frustration. It was a Par 4 hole where a one-shot approach was possible, but his tee shot fell into the deep rough to the right of the green, and both feet ended up in the bunker, a troublesome situation. It is surprising that he managed to save par by sticking his third shot close to the hole.

McIlroy is a staunch supporter of the PGA Tour amid the recent launch of LIV Golf led by Saudi Arabia. After securing his 21st career win at the RBC Canadian Open which ended on the 13th, he criticized LIV Golf, which has been recruiting veteran players during the same period, saying "It’s getting harder and harder to win on the PGA Tour," and even targeted Greg Norman (Australia), CEO of LIV Golf, who has stopped at 20 career wins, saying "I have one more win than anyone else."

This tournament is especially a 'full-scale war' with many players who joined LIV Golf, including Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson (both USA), participating. Although the PGA Tour imposed a suspension penalty, the United States Golf Association (USGA) allowed them to compete. This is why McIlroy is so obsessed with his score. Fortunately, he recorded four birdies and one bogey to finish the day tied for 2nd at 3-under par. Starting at the 10th hole (Par 4), he made 'stepping stone birdies' on the 16th and 18th holes, back-to-back birdies on the 7th and 8th holes in the second half, and a bogey on the final 9th hole (Par 4) with a '3-on 2-putt,' which was rather regrettable.

Dustin Johnson is attempting a chip shot on the 9th hole during the first day of the 122nd US Open. Brooklyn, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

Adam Hadwin (Canada) leads surprisingly at 4-under par, making the competition for the championship very much alive. McIlroy also commented, "My putting was good today," and expressed satisfaction with his 3-under par. Johnson is tied for 7th place (2-under par 68), heating up the second round even more. Johnson has officially withdrawn from the PGA Tour "for me and my family." Defending champion Jon Rahm (Spain) and second major PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas are tied for 14th place (1-under par 69).

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler exchanged three birdies for three bogeys to finish tied for 26th (even par 70), with the 'PGA supporters' prevailing as expected. Scheffler has won four times in his last 11 events and is challenging to win both the Masters and the US Open simultaneously. Three-time champion Sam Burns and 'The Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau are tied for 42nd (1-over par 71), while Brooks Koepka (USA), the 2017-2018 two-time consecutive winner, is tied for 79th (3-over par 73).

It is noteworthy that Mickelson is tied for 144th place (8-over par 78). The birth of the sixth 'Career Grand Slammer' in global golf history is virtually impossible. Although he collected three different majors over nine years ? the 2004 Masters, 2005 PGA Championship, and 2013 The Open ? this tournament remains an impenetrable fortress. From Korea, Lee Kyoung-hoon (31) is tied for 42nd, Im Sung-jae (24) and Kim Joo-hyung (20) are tied for 57th (2-over par 72), and Kim Si-woo (27, all from CJ Logistics) is tied for 125th (6-over par 76).

Phil Mickelson was deep in thought at the 16th hole on the first day of the 122nd US Open. Brooklyn, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.