U.S. Open Day 1 Wrap-Up

Once again, it appears that the most interesting story of a major tournament will be the battle between Rory McIlroy and Rory McIlroy. Who will prevail, the incredible shotmaker who is clearly the most talented player since Tiger Woods, or the amazing choker who has shot at least one round in the 80s in two of the last three majors? I don't think anyone can catch McIlroy if he's on his game, but he can certainly beat himself.

As for the so-called American challenge, that is over. If anything, the gap between the American golfers and the rest of the world is getting larger and larger. Congressional is exactly the type of course on which American golfers used to have an advantage. Now there's only one American in the top 10. In fact, only 7 of the 21 golfers who broke par today was an American.

Oh, and Charl Schwartzel is only three shots off the lead. Since 1960, here are the golfers who have won the Masters and the U.S. Open in the same year: Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), and Tiger Woods (2002). That's it, that's the list. If Schwartzel does it, and heads off to Britain holding the first two legs of the Grand Slam, it would be one of the great golf stories of all time.

1. R. McIlroy (NIR): -6 (65)

T2. Y.E. Yang (KOR): -3 (68)
T2. C. Schwartzel (RSA): -3 (68)

T4. S. Garcia (ESP): -2 (69)
T4. R. Palmer: -2 (69)
T4. K. Kim (KOR): -2 (69)
T4. L. Oosthuizen (RSA): -2 (69)
T4. S. Hend (AUS): -2 (69)
T4. A. Rocha (BRA): -2 (69)

Oh, and Chris Williams finished with a five-over par 76 that leaves him in a tie for 111th place. He has some work to do in order to make the cut.

One more thing: there will be no updates from this desk for most of the day tomorrow, as the head of the HP NoVA desk will be taking Number 2 Son and Smart Girl to Congressional to watch some golf.