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McIlroy (71) in the mix despite poor putting

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PINEHURST, N.C. – With Pinehurst No. 2 likely playing as easy as it ever will, Rory McIlroy hit all but one fairway and 14 greens Thursday en route to a first-round 71 at the U.S. Open. His 1-over start left him just three shots off the early clubhouse lead at Pinehurst.

Though fellow playing competitor Graeme McDowell marveled at the way McIlroy attacked the restored course – “He played magnificent this morning,” G-Mac said – the world No. 6 mustered only two birdies on the day, including one on the last.

The reason? Poor speed on the greens. He took 33 swipes with the putter.

“That was the only thing that really let me down today,” McIlroy said, before adding: “If I can get the speed dialed in a little bit more, hopefully I’ll be right there over the weekend.”

McIlroy said he was “relishing” the challenge of contending on a major venue that was firm and fast. Both of his major victories have come at rain-soaked courses – first Congressional in 2011, then Kiawah Island in 2012.

“It’s inevitable that you’re going to make some bogeys and make some mistakes out here,” he said. “You just have to limit those as much as you can.”

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Reports: Royal Portrush gets '19 Open Champ.

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PINEHURST, N.C. – Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Royal & Ancient will announce the 2019 Open Championship will be played at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

An announcement is expected later this month and even Graeme McDowell, who has been reluctant to talk about the Open’s possible return to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951, seemed confident with the impending announcement.

“I’m very proud of where I grew up and to have an Open back to Northern Ireland is very special,” said McDowell, who grew up playing Royal Portrush, following his round on Thursday at the U.S. Open.

According to the various reports, the championship is poised to make multiple trips to the links course, which is about an hour from Belfast.

“This is the result of a lot of gentle ribbing by myself and Rory (McIlroy) and Darren (Clarke),” McDowell said.

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McIlroy (71) in the mix despite poor putting

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PINEHURST, N.C. – With Pinehurst No. 2 likely playing as easy as it ever will, Rory McIlroy hit all but one fairway and 14 greens Thursday en route to a first-round 71 at the U.S. Open. His 1-over start left him just three shots off the early clubhouse lead at Pinehurst.

Though fellow playing competitor Graeme McDowell marveled at the way McIlroy attacked the restored course – “He played magnificent this morning,” G-Mac said – the world No. 6 mustered only two birdies on the day, including one on the last.

The reason? Poor speed on the greens. He took 33 swipes with the putter.

“That was the only thing that really let me down today,” McIlroy said, before adding: “If I can get the speed dialed in a little bit more, hopefully I’ll be right there over the weekend.”

McIlroy said he was “relishing” the challenge of contending on a major venue that was firm and fast. Both of his major victories have come at rain-soaked courses – first Congressional in 2011, then Kiawah Island in 2012.

“It’s inevitable that you’re going to make some bogeys and make some mistakes out here,” he said. “You just have to limit those as much as you can.”

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Mickelson opens with even-par 70 at Pinehurst

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PINEHURST, N.C. – Despite a pair of late bogeys, Phil Mickelson’s quest for the career grand slam is off to a solid start.

Mickelson carded an even-par 70 Thursday in the first round of the U.S. Open, a tournament in which he has been a runner-up a record six times. When he completed play early Thursday afternoon, that effort placed him two shots behind a group of players at 2 under, including Kevin Na and Graeme McDowell.

While still in position to contend, Mickelson appeared headed for an even better score for much of his opening round.

Beginning his day on the back nine, Mickelson started in style with a birdie on the par-510th. He added another at No. 14 before suffering his first setback of the day on the par-3 15th hole, when his chip bounded away from the hole and over the green.

After making the turn in 1-under 34, Mickelson birdied the fifth hole after reaching the par-5 green in two, and he briefly held a share of the lead as a result. From there, though, he struggled somewhat to close out his round, with a three-putt bogey on No. 6 followed by a dropped shot on No. 8.

His round included nine of 14 fairways hit, and Mickelson reached 13 of the 18 greens in regulation at Pinehurst No. 2.

Mickelson is no stranger to being in the mix after the opening round at the season’s second major: in each of his six runner-up finishes, the 43-year-old has opened with a round of even-par or better. He started with a 3-under 67 at Pinehurst en route to a second-place showing at the 1999 U.S. Open, while he shot a 1-under 69 in the opening round here in 2005 before ultimately tying for 33rd.

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