Rory McIlroy

Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann lead the PGA Tour in first-round scoring average.

The two men have been in the mix for the top spot on the leaderboard after the opening day's play at both of this year's major tournaments.

The consistently strong play of both golfers in the first round makes them two of the best daily fantasy golf options for the opening day of the U.S. Open.

Smith has been more of a fixture at the top of major leaderboards. Four of his last six opening-round scores at majors have been in the 60s, and he has stuck around for three top-15 finishes in those events.

Smith and Niemann are just two of the golfers who should have your attention for first-round DFS lineups. Some of the top-ranked names in the world have gotten off to great starts at majors this season, and they could follow that trend at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

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Roster Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann

Smith and Niemann are two of three players on the PGA Tour with a first-round scoring average under 68.

Smith leads the PGA Tour with an opening-round average of 67.73. Niemann is second to the Australian at 67.87, while Russell Henley is the only other golfer with an average under 68.

Smith and Niemann both landed inside the top 10 after Thursday at the Masters and the PGA Championship.

Smith was second to Sungjae Im after 18 holes at Augusta National Golf Club and was tied with the Chilean for seventh place at Southern Hills. Niemann finished in a tie for third with three other golfers after Thursday at Augusta.

Both golfers will have plenty of eyes on them during the first round at The Country Club.

Niemann tees off at 8:02 a.m. ET alongside Cameron Young and Will Zalatoris. Smith plays with Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler in the threesome that tees off at 1:25 p.m. ET.

The two first-round aces could outperform others in their groups and land high on the leaderboard after 18 holes.

There is always a chance one of them struggles at a tough U.S. Open course, but they have to be included in first-round lineups because of their consistency to start tournaments.

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Put Focus on the Rory McIlroy Group

Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama and Xander Schauffele feature in one of the marquee morning threesomes.

McIlroy and Matsuyama are previous major winners, and Schauffele has three straight top-10 finishes at the U.S. Open.

All three men could be front and center on the leaderboard by the time Thursday's opening round ends.

The McIlroy group should have the favored split on Thursday. The wind is not supposed to pick up above 10 miles per hour until the afternoon, per Accuweather.

However, calm conditions for the morning tee times could produce a handful of low scores.

McIlroy is the favorite to win the entire tournament, and he may be the best bet to choose as a first-round leader because of the form he enters the U.S. Open in. He won the RBC Canadian Open in a duel with Tony Finau and Justin Thomas last weekend.

Matsuyama and Schauffele do not have a top-10 major finish this season, but both could thrive off playing with McIlroy and on a difficult U.S. Open course.

Matsuyama has finished inside the top 30 in each of the last five U.S. Opens, and although he has only a single top-10 major finish in the last four years, he missed the cut just once in that span.

The consistency displayed by each of the three golfers could help them get off to strong starts and help your lineups move to the top of the DFS leaderboard.

Rory McIlroy, who has been an outspoken critic of the new LIV Golf International Series, offered his perspective on players who are joining the upstart circuit.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, McIlroy said he could understand why the aging stars made the move but younger players who joined LIV are "taking the easy way out" for the immediate payday.

"In Phil's case, early 50s. Yeah, I think everyone in this room would say to themselves that their best days are behind them. That's why I don't understand for the guys that are a similar age to me going because I would like to believe that my best days are still ahead of me, and I think theirs are, too."

The PGA Tour suspended 17 players who competed in the inaugural LIV Golf event in London this past weekend.

"It's my job to protect, defend and celebrate our loyal PGA Tour members, our partners and our fans," PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said on CBS Sports during the final round of the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday (h/t ESPN's Mark Schlabach). "And that's exactly what I did. And I don't think it was a surprise to anybody, given how clear I had been about how we were going to handle this situation."

Monahan noted players who participate in future LIV events will face the same discipline as the 17 players who have already been suspended.

McIlroy and Justin Thomas told reporters last week they don't intend to jump ship from the PGA Tour to LIV.

"I think my stance on it has been pretty clear from the start," said McIlroy. "It's not something that I want to participate in. I certainly understand the guys that have went. I understand what their goals and their ambitions are in their life. And I'm certainly not knocking anyone for going. It's their life, it's their decision. They can live it the way they want to."

Thomas said "people are entitled to choose as they wish," but he knows "the PGA Tour is the best place to play in the world."

LIV Golf has generated controversy because it's funded by the Saudi Arabian government. The Saudi government has been accused of various human rights violations, including United States intelligence finding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Per Somayeh Malekian and Guy Davies of ABC News, the Saudi government ordered the execution of 81 people in March, "with some of the men executed for allegedly taking part in anti-government protests."

Per Karim Zidan of NBC News, Saudi Arabia has been making a "strategic investment in sports and entertainment events" dating back to at least 2016 in an attempt to sportswash the country's history of human rights violations away and help reduce its dependence on oil.

Last month, LIV Golf announced it received another $2 billion investment from the Saudi Arabian government to host two additional tournaments in 2023 and become a full-fledged breakaway tour in 2024.

Charl Schwartzel won the inaugural LIV event in London. The 37-year-old made a total of $4.75 million for his individual win and an equal split of the $3 million prize for winning the team competition.

The suspended players will be eligible to compete in the U.S. Open this week since the tournament is operated by the United States Golf Association, a separate governing body than the PGA Tour.

McIlroy has been paired with Hideki Matsuyama and Xander Schauffele for the first two rounds of the U.S. Open.

For Rory McIlroy, winning the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday was a moment to savor.

McIlroy now has 21 career PGA Tour victories. While he didn't specifically mention the target of his pointed comment, he alluded to how he passed Greg Norman on the all-time wins list following his triumph:

21st PGA Tour win for Rory – “one more than someone else,” he said.

Greg Norman.

“That gave me a little bit of extra incentive today.”

— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) June 12, 2022

PGA TOUR win No. 21

🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆

A day @McIlroyRory will remember for a long time. pic.twitter.com/cbPk4w2jaN

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 12, 2022

As the CEO for LIV Golf, Norman has effectively become public enemy No. 1 for those carrying the PGA Tour banner.

LIV poses a clear threat to the PGA Tour, and it could reshape the landscape of the sport as it attempts to continue poaching the best golfers in the world from the tour. Bryson DeChambeau was the most recent star to jump ship.

When LIV officials began assembling their roster, McIlroy made it clear he wasn't going anywhere, though, and he has maintained that stance.

Rory McIlroy says he can understand why some players left to join the LIV Golf series, however he insists that he is happy playing on the PGA Tour and wouldn't consider leaving 👇 pic.twitter.com/ODNWzEvhtZ

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) June 9, 2022

Naturally, the 33-year-old's opinions about the LIV series have made him a target for Norman, the face of the Saudi Arabia-backed venture. Norman told the Washington Post's Kent Babb that McIlroy and others were "brainwashed" by parties working to undermine LIV Golf.

In what's unlikely to be the last salvo between the two sides, the PGA Tour suspended any LIV-affiliated golfers from tour events indefinitely, though those golfers remain eligible for the U.S. Open.

Having McIlroy win the RBC Canadian Open—and take a not-so-subtle jab at Norman—one day after Charl Schwartzel won LIV's inaugural tournament couldn't have been a better outcome for the PGA Tour.

The four-time major champion has the star power to combat the recent defections the tour experienced, and it seems pretty clear where his allegiances lie.

Rory McIlroy fended off Justin Thomas and Tony Finau to win the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday at St. George's Golf and Country Club in Toronto.

McIlroy prevailed in the most recent installment of the tournament in 2019 as well, with the 2020 and 2021 versions canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He posted an eight-under 62 in the final round to finish at 19 under, two strokes better than Finau.

Back to back in the 6 🏆🇨🇦🏆 @McIlroyRory defends his @RBCCanadianOpen title. pic.twitter.com/yhs8naqOr2

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 12, 2022

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RBC Canadian Open Leaderboard

1. Rory McIlroy (-19)

2. Tony Finau (-17)

3. Justin Thomas (-15)

T-4. Justin Rose (-14)

T-4. Sam Burns (-14)

6. Corey Conners (-12)

T-7. Keith Mitchell (-10)

T-7. Chris Kirk (-10)

T-7. Wyndham Clark (-10)

T-10. Danny Lee (-9)

T-10. Shane Lowry (-9)

T-10. Matt Fitzpatrick (-9)

Full leaderboard available at PGATour.com

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McIlroy, Thomas and Finau were separated by two shots with three holes left to play. McIlroy could've opened up a little more breathing room on No. 14 but misjudged his birdie putt and watched the ball roll wide to the left.

I’m starting to think Rory McIlroy wants to personally inflect emotional damage on me.

— Amanda Rose (@AmandaGolf59) June 12, 2022

The four-time major champion fared even worse on the par-three 16th hole. He hit his tee shot into a bunker and settled for a bogey. A par was enough for Thomas to grab a share of the lead, and Finau moved to one shot off first place.

Bogey for Rory
Par for Justin

All square at -17 @RBCCanadianOpen pic.twitter.com/Kh9cl30oHy

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 12, 2022

The 17th hole saw a two-shot swing, though, to put McIlroy back in control. His wedge game was excellent all day, and no effort was better than his second shot on No. 17.

Rory's wedge game today 💯 pic.twitter.com/wz7EL4DupL

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) June 12, 2022

Thomas, on the other hand, found the rough on his drive and got onto the green in three. His par putt didn't find the mark, so he bogeyed the hole and fell to 16 under, giving McIlroy a two-shot advantage heading into the final hole.

Thomas' slim hopes of a comeback quickly faded when he badly hooked his second-shot approach on No. 18. Finau, likewise, found the green with his second shot but had a long birdie putt waiting for him.

That set the stage for quite the scene around the 18th green as the fans at St. George's eagerly awaited McIlroy's triumph. Finau's birdie added a bit more pressure but didn't alter the outcome.

Love the fans standing in the green-side bunker to get a closer look at Rory. That's terrific.

— Daniel Shirley (@DM_Shirley) June 12, 2022

With 54 rounds in the books north of the border, McIlroy and Finau were co-leaders at 11 under. For the latter, it was a welcome change from how most of this season has unfolded. Finau's fourth-place finish in the Charles Schwab Challenge was only his second top-10 on the PGA Tour this year.

While the RBC Canadian Open represents continued progress for Finau, the wait for his first win of 2022 goes on. He was unable to match the blistering pace McIlroy set from the outset and had to consistently play catch-up.

After improving to 13 under, McIlroy reeled off six birdies in a seven-hole stretch that culminated with a 40-foot putt on No. 12.

RORY 😱 pic.twitter.com/UgKclZGBIH

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) June 12, 2022

At that point, it looked like McIlroy was relatively free and clear in first. He was three shots up and performing lights-out. Instead, the air steadily went out of the balloon to make for some late drama.

At four under with one round to play, Justin Rose had an almost insurmountable deficit to bridge in order to stand atop the leaderboard by day's end, but that didn't stop him from trying.

Rose matched his career-low score for a single round on the PGA Tour by carding a 10-under 60. He began Sunday with an eagle on No. 1 and didn't look back from there.

Justin Rose EAGLE from 136 yards away 😱🦅 pic.twitter.com/vZElfiq10M

— ESPN (@espn) June 12, 2022

All eyes are now on the U.S. Open, which tees off Thursday at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

The tournament always generates plenty of excitement. This year's installment has the added drama of the USGA allowing the golfers who have signed with LIV Golf to compete. The PGA Tour suspended 17 golfers, most notably Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, indefinitely from tour events, but that doesn't include the U.S. Open.

Johnson and Mickelson might get an icy reception from the Brookline crowd.

Rory McIlroy spoke out about the wave of players leaving the PGA Tour to play for the new LIV Golf Series.

Speaking to reporters before the start of the Canadian Open, McIlroy said the decisions "you make in your life purely for money doesn't usually end up going the right way."

He went on to note he's made those types of decisions before, "a couple times in my life."

There have been at least eight players thus far who have resigned their PGA Tour membership in order to play in the new circuit that is being funded by the Saudi Arabian government.

A majority of the players who have spoken about their decision to join LIV have said the money offered was a key factor.

Dustin Johnson, who is being paid around $125 million to join the series, told reporters on Tuesday he "chose what’s best for me and my family."

Phil Mickelson, who is also playing for the LIV tour but hasn't resigned his PGA Tour membership, is being paid around $200 million for his participation, per Brentley Romine of the Golf Channel.

Tuesday's press conference with Johnson and other players at Centurion Golf Club in London got heated amid questions about working events on behalf of Saudi Arabia given the country's track record of human rights abuses.

Graham McDowell was really the only LIV Golf participant willing to (somewhat) engage with broader, non-golf questions so I’m sharing his full answer here. You can decide how to view it, as well as Ari’s decision to wrap the presser here. pic.twitter.com/Dyp0omz4EX

— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) June 7, 2022

Per ESPN's Kevin Van Valkenburg, Associated Press reporter Rob Harris was led out of the press conference by security when he tried to ask a question and was cut off by an LIV spokesperson.

McIlroy told reporters last week he was "indifferent" when the field for the first LIV event was announced. The three-time major champion noted he has "some very close friends" playing in the London tournament, but "it's not something that I would do personally."

The LIV Series is scheduled to begin with a 54-hole event that begins on Thursday.

McIlroy is in the field for the Canadian Open that begins on Thursday. He's also scheduled to play in the U.S. Open next week at the Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Greg Norman took aim at Rory McIlroy and Jack Nicklaus as the LIV Golf series prepares for its inaugural event.

The golf legend told the Washington Post's Kent Babb that McIlroy is among those who have been "brainwashed" to come out against the breakaway golf tour that's backed by Saudi Arabia.

Norman spoke about Nicklaus, who said he said he turned down a nine-figure offer from LIV Golf, in even harsher terms. Nicklaus also explained he had "zero interest in wanting to do something like that" in reference to LIV Golf.

"One hundred percent truth? Jack’s a hypocrite," Norman said. "When he came out with those comments, I’m thinking: Jack must have a short memory."

Norman contends Nicklaus was present for a LIV Golf presentation and wrote in an email that the project was "good for our game."

LIV has received steady criticism for its connection to the Saudi regime. The venture is funded by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

This is part of a larger trend in which repressive regimes around the world are widening their footprint in sports to improve their public image. The Public Investment Fund also purchased Newcastle United FC of the English Premier League in 2021.

Phil Mickelson summed up the general concerns about LIV when he told Fire Pit Collective's Alan Shipnuck that the Saudis were "scary motherf--kers" who "have a horrible record on human rights." Mickelson also referenced the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist whose death U.S. intelligence officials said was ordered by Saudi officials.

That Mickelson would nevertheless join with LIV Golf is for critics a sign of how willing some golfers are to put their personal finances ahead of principles.

Over time, participation in LIV Golf could grow to become more normalized with more of the sport's stars signing up. For now, the general condemnation toward the endeavor is unlikely to subside.

The Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, has been a house of horrors for Cameron Smith throughout his career.

Maybe not anymore.

The Australian leads the field at eight under through two rounds of the 2022 edition after posting a three-under 69 on Friday. It is a far cry from his six previous Memorial tournaments when he missed the cut four times and finished no better than 68th place.

Here is a look at the top of the leaderboard halfway through the tournament. The full leaderboard can be found at PGATour.com.

1. Cameron Smith, -8

T2. Denny McCarthy, -7

T2. K.H. Lee, -7

Smith was steady if not spectacular with a single bogey and four birdies, three of which came on the par fives. Taking advantage of the par fives while ensuring he doesn't drop shots elsewhere could be a blueprint to a title and dramatic way to break free of his Dublin, Ohio, struggles.

The 28-year-old also added some style on his other birdie with a chip-in on the par-three 12th.

Filthy chip by Cam Smith 🤯

New solo leader at 8-under. pic.twitter.com/WFDaLaeED0

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2022

Big par save 💪

Cam Smith still holds a one-shot lead. pic.twitter.com/Fihp56SFRd

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2022

He will have his work cut out for him over the weekend when it comes to maintaining his position, though, as 11 golfers are within three strokes of the lead.

While Denny McCarthy and K.H. Lee are just one back in a tie for second, Rory McIlroy looks to be a threat to win the Memorial Tournament for the first time in his career. He counts four top-10 finishes at Jack Nicklaus' course on his resume and could be well on his way to another after Friday's three-under 69.

He bogeyed his first par five on No. 11 but made up for that with a birdie on the par-five 15th and eagle on the par-five fifth thanks to a beautiful approach shot on his second that found the green.

271 ➡️ 6 FT 🤯

Eagle for @McIlroyRory to get to 6-under. pic.twitter.com/0Py4s9gUs4

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2022

McIlroy's length off the tee helped with the course that was recently renovated with added yardage for the annual tournament, and he figures to remain near the top of the leaderboard if he can capitalize on the par fives like he did at times Friday.

There are plenty of big names lurking heading into the weekend outside of McIlroy.

Will Zalatoris and Patrick Cantlay are three under, and Jon Rahm is two under after shooting a two-under 70 in the second round. Jordan Spieth is also within relative striking distance at even par, but he struggled off the tee for much of Friday's round and scrambled his way to a two-over 74.

Incredible read on this putt 😲@Patrick_Cantlay moving up the leaderboard. pic.twitter.com/JT8K8Oo8tL

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2022

Dialed in to start the day @XSchauffele 🎯 pic.twitter.com/1C1Dy9TE5M

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 3, 2022

Cantlay is the defending champion after he defeated Collin Morikawa in a playoff last year, although it seemed for much of the 2021 tournament that Rahm would take home the title. Yet he was forced to withdraw with a six-stroke lead heading into the final round after he was informed he tested positive for COVID-19.

There will be no repeat of the playoff, though, as Morikawa missed the cut thanks to a five-over 77 that included double bogeys on two of the par threes.