US Open: McIlroy heads the betting after best putting round for seven years

McIlroy shortens as favourite

The big guns are gathering near the top of the leaderboard in the US Open with Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Scottie Scheffler and Dustin Johnson all in the hunt at The Country Club.

Brookline was the perfect test on a day when McIlroy had his best putting round since 2015, and his fourth-best ever, and carded a three-under 67 to sit in a five-man chasing posse featuring English qualifier Callum Tarren, Sweden's David Lingmerth, Joel Dahmen and the South African MJ Daffue, one stroke behind Canadian Adam Hadwin.

The Holywood star, chasing his first Major win for nearly eight years, hit 13 greens in the best of the morning conditions and is now an even shorter favourite at 6 to win his fifth Major.

Fitzpatrick better value

While leader Hadwin (32) shot a sublime 66 in the windier afternoon conditions, McIlroy will be more worried about Fitzpatrick, who turned in three-under-par before struggling to hit fairways in a stiff afternoon breeze coming home.

Nevertheless, Fitzpatrick (14.5) looks a better value bet than the Irish star, who may struggle to repeat that putting form for another three days, to win in the US for the first time as a professional.

Thomas (13) and defending champion Rahm (15) shot 69s despite not having their best stuff, while world number one Scheffler (19.5), the Masters champion, birdied his last two holes to share 26th on even par.

As for Johnson (24), his defection to LIV Golf didn't appear to bother him as he cruised around in 68 in the afternoon, matching 2013 champion Rose, who remains an excellent prospect at 32.

Defending champion Jon Rahm shot a 69 despite not being at his best at Brookline

Lowry dangerous outsider

Shane Lowry has work to do after carding a two-over 72, but at 90, there is still time to get value there as he goes out early today and will have a chance to get back into the red for the weekend.

"Hopefully, I can go out and break par tomorrow and then I will be back in it because I don't know what it is going to take to win this tournament, but it is not going to be much, scoring-wise," Lowry said.

"There is going to be a lot of good golf, but it is hard out there. I don't know what the forecast is tomorrow, but if it is as windy as this, it is going to be a pretty high cut."

Brookline is only going to get firmer and faster as the week progresses and the course dries out and after struggling on the greens yesterday, Lowry still has a chance to find the excellent putting form that's been the hallmark of his recent run of good form.

"The course is excellent, as good a set-up as I have ever seen," Lowry said. "You can hit it in the rough and still have a shot at the green. It is not like Winged Foot. I think they have got the course spot on."

Recommend bets

Matthew Fitzpatrick @ 14.5

Dustin Johnson @ 24

Justin Rose @ 32

Shane Lowry @ 90