It was a day to forget for Rory McIlroy as playing conditions at the US Open on Thursday morning left him and many other big names with a mountain to climb.
McIlroy, who was amongst the favourites to win this week finished with a ten over par of 80 in an absolute horror round at Shinnecock Hills in New York.
The golf course, which was notoriously tough when the US Open was played here in 2004 and the officials had to water the greens mid-round in a bid to keep the ball on the greens. It wasn't quite at that level on Thursday but it was clear early on that par was going to be a good score.
Par seems a very long way away for McIlroy though, with a round that included seven bogeys, three doubles and just five pars.
It wasn't much better for his playing partners either, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson who would have both also had designs on lifting the trophy come Sunday night.
Spieth finished on eight under par with Mickelson just one shot better at seven under.
Early signs are that those who had a morning start got the worst of the conditions on Thursday, with Ian Poulter and Scott Piercy the only players with an under par round from the early starters.
With the first round still being played, Russell Henley has started well at three under par with the likes of Dustin Johnson and Francesco Molinari also starting well.
Other players whose tournament could be over before it's started include:
- Bubba Watson +7
- Jason Day +9
- Charl Schwartzel +9
The action continues in New York and you can follow the latest moves via our US Open live leaderboard.
The last time he shot 80 in a major was the final round of the Masters in 2011.
