Slumping Rory McIlroy fails to take advantage of a bright start at Oakmont, shoots 74 in first round WSOC TV [Video]

OAKMONT, Pa. — (AP) — Rory McIlroy made a couple early birdies at the U.S. Open.

That encouraging start was short lived for the slumping Masters champion.

A poor second nine left McIlroy with a 4-over 74 in Thursday’s first round at Oakmont. He played his final six holes in 5 over, and although this U.S. Open course was expected to be tough, this wasn’t exactly a huge step forward after McIlroy shot a 78 in the second round at the Canadian Open last week and missed the cut there.

McIlroy began his round Thursday on No. 10, and birdies on 11 and 12 put him quickly at 2 under. The latter of those included a mammoth 392-yard drive on the 618-yard 12th, which kicked forward on the fairway and rolled all the way to the area where fans were allowed to cross the hole.

After a bogey on No. 1, however, McIlroy’s round went south. …