Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has made four birdies and no bogies thru 12 holes Thursday afternoon to surge to the front of the pack at the 2011 US Open golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD. McIlroy, who is four-under par, is one stroke ahead of clubhouse leader Japan's Y.E. Yang, who shot a 68, Spain's Sergio Garcia (six holes remaining) and South Africa's Rory Sabbatini (nine holes to go) at three-under par.
Ryan Palmer (USA) and Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) each shot a two-under par, 69, and sit just two shots back of McIlroy. Four other players at currently at two-under par, but they have not finished their rounds.
Phil Mickelson (USA) has played 12 holes and is two-over par, while Ricky Fowler (USA) is one-under par thru 10 holes. Fan favorites Davis Love III and Stewart Cink each finished the first round at one-under, 70.
As of right now, the television coverage just switched back over to ESPN, which will broadcast until 7 p.m. Friday's TV schedule will be the same as Thursday's:
- ESPN coverage, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- NBC coverage, 3 - 5 p.m.
- ESPN coverage, 5 - 7 p.m.
For more information on the US Open check out SB Nation's golf blog Waggle Room,SB Nation DC's US Open storystream and SB Nation's pro golf hub.