600-Yard Par 5? Just a Driver—>Pitching Wedge for Rory McIlroy
· Yahoo Sports
The last time Rory McIlroy had made an eagle during a U.S. Open was all the way back in 2017 at Erin Hills. Well, that drought ended in impressive fashion during the opening round at Shinnecock Hills on Thursday.
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After making what he called a “U.S. Open par” at the fourth, McIlroy stepped to the 600-yard par-5 fifth, driver in hand, with a stiff tailwind. Thanks to 187 MPH ball speed, a towering trajectory, and the aforementioned breeze, his drive went 396 yards. From the fairway, he hoisted a pitching wedge(!!) from 192 yards and stuffed it to 11 feet. And when you do that, you have to pay it off.
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After the eagle, he was 3 under for the day and in the solo lead. But given his recent history in the U.S. Open, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
As the afternoon rolls on, the wind is only expected to get more intense. It’s going to take a Herculean effort for someone in the second wave of tee times to catch him—if he can get it in the house.