2011 US Open Leaderboard Update: Rory McIlroy Vaults Y.E. Yang For Top Spot

Y.E. Yang has the best score among all players already in the Congressional clubhouse, but Rory McIlroy has taken over as the 2011 U.S. Open’s leader. The Northern Irish player has made a habit of starting majors out strong, having held the lead at the Masters up until the final round. He sits at 5-under through 13 holes, two strokes better than Yang and Sergio Garcia, who’s also through 13.

McIlroy started on the back nine, which is considered to be the more challenging nine. He was able to birdie two of his first four holes on the front nine and could finish with some decent distance on the rest of the field.

Rory Sabbatini’s strong Round 1 continues; he’s 3-under through nine holes, setting him up for a charge at the top if he can keep it going. Brandt Snedeker is also playing well through nine, having bookended his front nine with birdies to go 2-under.