Louis Oosthuizen

Defending champion takes inspiration from playing partner and leader Louis Oosthuizen

American has to settle for a 64 after being seven under after 14 holes

Four Irish in the field fail to break par at Royal St George’s

South African golfer cards flawless six-under 64 to lead by one shot

Defending champion left to rue unlucky bounce at the last as he opens with a 71

Darren Clarke returned from Champions Tour stateside to start with one-over-par 71

2015 champion and South Africa’s Louis de Jager the latest players to pull out of Major

Colm Moriarty leads Irish challenge, four behind Lucas Herbert

McIlroy on the right path at the US Open; word of mouth, by the numbers and more

‘I believed from the biggest setbacks we can get some of the biggest breakthroughs’

Northern Irishman two shots behind leaders Oosthuizen, Hughes and Henley

English veteran takes one-shot clubhouse lead at Torrey Pines

DeChambeau’s agent denies player declined to be paired with his rival at Torrey Pines

‘I believed I had the ability to do it, I knew I could and I’ve been very frustrated’

Lowry, Harrington and McIlroy a long way back as Irish challenge fades

Cameron Smith and Lanto Griffin make up group while Shane Lowry plays Ryan Palmer first up

The Irish caddie is not keen on the PGA of America’s decision to use range finders

“What Bryson has done has been absolutely incredible . . . It’s never been done before”

Rory McIlroy paired with Dustin Johnson and Patrick Cantlay for first two rounds

He has managed just one top 12 finish since the PGA Tour resumed in June

Tiger Woods at home on the greens after reverting to his ‘Old Faithful’ putter in Massachusetts

Brooks Koepka lurking two off the lead as McIlroy and Lowry fail to make their move