US Open 2022: Rory McIlroy has been on a crusade

US Open 2022 For the past few weeks, Rory McIlroy has been on a crusade for golf's soul. He reminded everyone why his

remarks had such weight on Thursday in the first round of the 122nd U.S. Open. McIlroy is a fantastic communicator in general.

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He has assumed the role of leading voice in the game for what the game will look like in 10 or even 50 years, and in doing so

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he has provided insightful insight, sensible counsel, and a roadmap forward for a game whose equilibrium has been thrown

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off by the LIV Golf-PGA Tour conflict. Other great talkers exist in the game, but they don't shoot 67s on the first 18 holes

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at The Country Club. McIlroy, a four-time major champion, hasn't won a major in eight years, but he started the week in

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the best shape of his career. A near-miss at the Masters in April, a blown first-round lead at the PGA

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Championship in May, and a win at the RBC Canadian Open last week — in which he gained more than 20 strokes and beat

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Tony Finau and Justin Thomas — were possibly his best-ever preparations for the US Open. McIlroy started the day with

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pars on the first six holes and two birdies on the last three holes on the back nine The momentum was continued

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