Patrick Cantlay racked up six birdies and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy played a bogey-free round on their ways to 5-under-par 65s to share the lead through the first round of the U.S. Open on Thursday in Pinehurst.

Cantlay established the lead early in the day, and McIlroy, the 2011 champion, had birdies on two of the final three holes playing in the afternoon.

Sweden's Ludvig Aberg shot 66 to hold third place.

Golfers had to negotiate the tricky greens on Pinehurst No. 2 along with the increasing heat of the day.

Cantlay began the round on No. 10. He got better later in the round, with four birdies on the first eight holes on the front side.

"Feeling good about my game," Cantlay said. "I've been working hard. I have to just keep putting myself in the fairway, giving myself opportunities and I did a good job of that."

This is the first time Cantlay has led or co-led in a major.

It was a rough day for Tiger Woods, who shot 74 with two birdies – both on the par-5 holes – and six bogeys.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had a mundane 71. Defending champion Wyndham Clark managed just one birdie during his round of 73. (Reuters)