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Rory McIlroy began to mount a significant challenge on the front nine of the US Open, carding crucial birdies as he sought to close the gap on second-round leader Wyndham Clark.
McIlroy’s first birdie came at the par-five fifth, two-putting from 34 feet to reach two under. He then holed a 15-footer at the eighth to move to three under, but a promising approach on the ninth, leaving him inside six feet, resulted in a missed putt.
This left McIlroy tied for second at three under, four strokes adrift of 2023 champion Clark, who maintained his advantage with a 69 on Friday morning after a delayed start.
Earlier, multiple major winners Collin Morikawa (65) and Xander Schauffele (66) posted low scores to enter contention. Shinnecock Hill’s greens, unusually soft due to the absence of anticipated high winds, initially offered scoring opportunities.
However, as the day progressed, a stiffening breeze combined with the baking sun began to dry out the putting surfaces, making them more challenging to navigate, particularly with the notoriously tricky poana grass.
Despite the evolving conditions, McIlroy, who is aiming for his first US Open title since his maiden major victory in 2011, appeared to be building significant momentum as he approached the turn.