15/2 McIlroy pleased with US Open start

Rory McIlroy (15/2 – US Open Outright) says his confidence is continuing to grow after he fired an opening-round 68 to sit three shots off the US Open lead.

The Northern Irishman is well in contention after an impressive first round at Pebble Beach, sitting on -3, just three adrift of leader Justin Rose (11/2 – US Open Outright).

McIlroy (13/10 – Top-Five Finish) appears to be moving into top gear at the right time and looked in great shape on day one, building on his victory at the Canadian Open last week as he looks for his fifth major and second US Open crown.

“I think the comfort level in my game is still there,” he said on Sky Sports. “I saw really good shots last week, not maybe under pressure, but in a situation where I needed to hit good shots. And I was able to do that and that breeds confidence.

“So I think just confidence and comfort and that’s sort of what I got from last week. I’ve felt really comfortable with my game all year. It feels good. Obviously I’ve won a couple of times and had some other really good performances. So, yeah, I’m feeling good.”

The 30-year-old recovered from a bogey on the opening hole when starting at the 10th and hit three birdies overall.

He admitted the conditions at Pebble Beach helped him post his best first-round score in the majors this year so far.

He added: “Benign conditions, and it’s a very soft start to a US Open, which is a good thing because you’re completely in control of the golf course. They can do whatever they want with it from here. It’s not as if you’re starting with a course that’s in the condition like a Sunday and then you get three days and it sort of starts to get away from you.”

There are plenty of big names towards the top of the leaderboard with four players tied for second – Americans Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele and Aaron Wise are alongside South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen – while defending champion Brooks Koepka is a shot back from McIlroy on -2. Three-time champion Tiger Woods is ominously placed on one-under.

Odds subject to change.