Canada's Hadwin surges to early lead at U.S. Open
There were numerous times growing up that Adam Hadwin's father Gerry thought his son would be better suited for a sport where he could hit people, such was his child's temper.
After Thursday's opening round, Gerry's son is leading golf's 122nd U.S. Open.
The 34-year-old Hadwin shot a 4-under par 66 at The Country Club at Brookline, and will take a one-shot lead over five golfers, including Rory Mcilroy, into Friday's second round.
Hadwin was asked what it's like to lead the season's third major after Day 1.
“Pretty sweet,” the Canadian said. “Not much better of a start to a U.S. Open.”
There is no tournament in the world that requires more patience or a more forgiving attitude than the U.S. Open, two traits that Hadwin hasn't always possessed but has been working hard on.
“I'm trying to be a little bit more even-keel, maybe a little less emotional on the golf course even though it comes out at times,” Hadwin said after his round. “Certainly just narrowing into the golf shot and the task at hand, and I did a really good job of that today.”
On a tough and surprisingly windy day at Brookline, Hadwin racked up six birdies on The Country Club's tiny and tricky greens, including five over a six-hole stretch beginning at the par-4 fourth hole. The closing stretch on the front nine is where players have to attack this difficult classic course just outside Boston, one that's expected to only get tougher over the week.
“Sometimes you hit good shots, and they don't quite work out; sometimes you hit bad shots, and they work out,” Hadwin said.
Hadwin credits his longtime caddy Joe Cruz for helping him develop a more easygoing attitude in recent times.
“Joe is so even-keel that looking at him you would never know if I was 5-under or 5-over, which is great,” Hadwin said. “That's what you want to have as a player.”
Cruz said his player's attitude was relaxed from the beginning of the round until the final putt.
“It helps when he's frickin' striping everything,” Cruz added with a smile.
It was indeed a stripe show for the PGA Tour winner and two-time Presidents Cup player. Hadwin's game off the tee was solid and his approach game was spectacular, frequently showing off perfect distance control, something The Country Club demands with its many ridges and slopes.
The Canadian told Postmedia earlier in the week that he thought this golf course was a fairer test than many U.S. Open courses he had played, with less of an emphasis on distance, and rough that's thick but playable.
“Sixty-six at a U.S. Open to take the first round lead is incredible,” Hadwin said. “It's something nobody can ever take away from me, but I have bigger things on my mind. There's lots of golf left.”
Mcilroy was joined at 3-under by Joel Dahmen, David Lingmerth, Callum Tarren, and MJ Daffue. Back at 2-under is a group of seven players including Englishmen Matthew Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose, as well as LIV golfer Dustin Johnson.
Defending champion Jon
Rahm shot a 1-under 69, as did Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and nine others.
It wasn't a great day for most of Norman's LIV golfers, with Phil Mickelson falling flat with an 8-over 78. Louis Oosthuizen shot a 77 and Sergio Garcia shot 74.
It was a mixed day for the other five Canadians in the field. Corey Conners shot a 1-over 71 and Mackenzie Hughes shot a 2-over 72. Nick Taylor shot a 3-over 73.
It was a day of firsts for Roger Sloan and Ben Silverman making their major championship debut. Silverman shot a 2-over 72 while Sloan shot a 76.