McIlroy, Cantlay lead U.S. Open after Round 1; Panthers push Oilers to the brink with Game 3 win

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PATRICK CANTLAY AND RORY MCILROY

Patrick Cantlay and Rory McIlroy are looking down at the rest of the leaderboard following Round 1 of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Both golfers shot a 65 on Thursday, good for 5-under and first place heading into Friday.

Cantlay has never won a major tournament in his career, and he’s never finished higher than 14th in the U.S. Open. He is already in unfamiliar territory as this is the first time he’s ever been inside the top five of a major after 18 holes.

It’s a good start for Cantlay, but he still has a lot of work to do with some daunting company right around him at the top of the leaderboard. That includes McIlroy, who is trying out a more “stoic” approach these days.

• McIlroy: “I think, with my demeanor, just trying to be super stoic. Just trying to be as even-keeled as I possibly can be. I really feel like that’s the thing that has served me well in these U.S. Opens over the past few years. Just trying to be 100% committed to the shots and 100% committed to having a good attitude.”

While Cantlay is trying to win his first major, McIlroy is trying to notch his first major tournament victory in 10 years. McIlroy has been stuck on four major wins since he won at The Open Championship in 2014.

Heading into Round 2 of the U.S. Open, the top of the leaderboard looks like this:

T-1. Patrick Cantlay (-5)
T-1. Rory McIlroy (-5)
3. Ludvig Åberg (-4)
T-4. Matthieu Pavon (-3)
T-4. Bryson DeChambeau (-3)

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