Patrick Cantlay was more than on his game during the first round of the 2024 U.S. Open in Pinehurst on Thursday.
The eight-time PGA Tour winner dominated the greens from the onset. Cantlay ended up shooting a five-under 65 through the first 18 holes. That included six birdies and just one bogey. The dude needed only 23 putts to accomplish this feat.
Back-to-back birdies on five and six pretty much set the tone for his day in Pinehurst.
It’s a stunning accomplishment given how hard this course is to play. Cantlay’s 65 represents the lowest scoring first round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in history.
“Got off to a good start, bunker shot on 11. I played pretty solid most of the way. I thought the golf course was pretty difficult. But drove it well. A lot of balls on the fairway. Left the ball in the right spots, for the most part,” Cantlay said after his round.
This is the first time that Cantlay has been in the top five of the leaderboard after the first round of a Major in his career. His odds of winning the title jumped from +3000 to +800 after the opening round.
Related: Find out where Patrick Cantlay stands in the latest World Golf Rankings
Golf world reacts to Patrick Cantlay’s great opening round at the U.S. Open
The early tee times on Thursday saw Phil Mickelson shoot a tourney worst plus-9 through 18 holes. Fellow legend Tiger Woods found himself at plus four after holding an early lead.
But a lot of the focus turned to what Cantlay was able to do in overcoming such a difficult course.