Relaxed McIlroy "in a good headspace mentally" at US Open

Rory McIlroy watches his shot from the rough on the 13th hole during the first round at the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Chris Keane/USGA)

RORY McIlroy insists his relaxed build-up to the US Open was key as he opened with a brilliant, three-under 67 to share the early lead at Brookline.

“I’m in a good headspace mentally. I’m where I need to be,” he said. “US Open is about staying patient and not letting the course and the conditions get to you and that’s at the top of the ist the next three days.”

The world number three, who is seeking his first major win for eight years, arrived at The Country Club with his confidence sky-high following his Canadian Open win.

It showed as he kept bogeys off his card until the last to share second with qualifier Callum Tarren of England, Sweden’s David Lingmerth, American Joel Dahmen and South African MJ Dauffe, one adrift of Canada’s Adam Hadwin, who shot 66.

“It was a very solid day,” McIlroy told RTE’s Greg Allen. “I hit a lot of greens and I putted well to save some pars throughout the round and keep the momentum of the round going, so overall it was just a very solid day.

“It really is (lovely to start well). I feel like I’ve come into the last couple of majors more relaxed because I feel like my game is in good shape and I’m not tying myself and knots over-preparing on the golf course and doing this and doing that.

“I’m coming in off the back of a win last week and that gives me confidence. It’s been a nice relaxed build-up and that continued into this morning. It was a nice solid round of golf.”

McIlroy gained more than four shots on the field with the putter but he was equally pleased to limit his mistakes to just one bogey at his final hole.

“My goal today especially after the front line was to try and play the course bogey-free,” he said. “I did that for 17 holes and fell at the final hurdle but that’s what this tournament is all about.

“It’s about avoiding mistakes and racking up as many pars as you can.

“You’re always going to give yourself chances for birdies and if a couple of putts drop here or there, that’s great.

“But I’m really proud and happy how about how clean I kept the card today. That was a goal of mine and that’ll be the goal for the next few days as well.”