Bethesda (Maryland): Rory McIlroy put his Masters misery firmly behind him, firing a superb six-under 65 for a three-stroke lead in the first round of the 111st US Open at Congressional Country Club.
The previous round of major golf for the then 21-year-old Ulsterman had been a nightmare 80 after taking a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Masters in April.
McIlroy, now 22, took command of the leaderboard late in yesterday that saw South Korea's Yang Yong-Eun in front for much of the way with a 68, while some of golf's big guns misfired badly.
A stroke further back from Yang were reigning British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, top American Ryan Palmer and Alexander Rocha of Brazil.
Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and Sergio Garcia of Spain were both at three-under with one to play.
PTI