Everything you need to know from the opening day at Brookline.
Defending champion Rahm laughed off a mischievous daylight robbery and in-form McIlroy impressed on day one of the 2022 U.S. Open Championship.
Here is everything you need to know from the opening day at Brookline.
Rahm laughs off stolen ball
Defending champion Jon Rahm's birdie at the last - which saw him sign for a one-under-par 69 - was all the more impressive considering he had his ball stolen! Two young spectators ran off with the Ryder Cup star's ball after his tee-shot landed in the rough, but he managed to make a three with a new ball thanks to a brilliant second shot and a delightful 20-foot putt. With a smile, Rahm said: "I'm pretty sure I know who it was. I recognised the two kids that were running the opposite way with a smile on their face. I am 100% sure I saw the two kids that stole it."
Defending champion dialled in with a 69 👊#USOpen pic.twitter.com/qZ3vajOYRZ
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 16, 2022
Fitzpatrick's chipping masterclass
Matt Fitzpatrick sent the U.S. Open crowd into raptures with this remarkable chip from just off the 12th green, and he loved every second of it...
.@MattFitz94 enjoyed that one!#USOpen
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 16, 2022
pic.twitter.com/zR9d9KORI4
The Englishman is no stranger to this week's host venue, having won the 2013 US Amateur Championship at The Country Club. He said: "I'm just trying not to put any pressure on myself. It's a golf course I know I can do well around, and I'm just trying to enjoy it."
It's a Country Club thing 💪#USOpen pic.twitter.com/O5KG4CyWSA
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 16, 2022
Hadwin the man to catch
Canadian Adam Hadwin produced a brilliant birdie blitz on the front nine on his way to a first-round 66. Five birdies in six holes from the fourth helped banish the memory of an early bogey and although he dropped another shot at the 12th, Hadwin got it right back on the 13th with an enormous birdie putt. He leads the way on four under, one clear of a large chasing pack.
McIlroy starts strongly once more
Just under a month on from his opening 65 at the US PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy made another good start to a Major on Thursday. The Northern Irishman fired four birdies before a closing bogey meant he had to settle for an opening 67 and a share of second spot.
