US Open: Fowler in lead after Rd 1
ERIN (US): American Rickie Fowler tamed Erin Hills to claim the first-round lead at the U.S. Open on Thursday, making the so-called toughest test in golf look easy with a recordequalling display while the big guns failed to fire.
With only a gentle breeze and rains having taken the bite out of the monstrous 7,845-yard course, players tore apart the links-style layout, attacking the pins with bravado on a day when 17 competitors broke 70.
Fowler returned a seven-under 65 for a oneshot lead over compatriot Xander Schauffele and Englishman Paul Casey.
Starting from the 10th tee, Fowler showed why he was among the pre-tournament favourites, returning a polished bogey-free effort that matched the lowest first round score in relation to par at a U.S. Open.
GREAT PLAY
Not even the sight of a burning blimp crashing to the ground in an open field just a half-mile (800 metres) from the course could shake the world number nine, who failed to make the cut at his previous two U.S. Opens but finished runner-up in 2014.
But under sunny skies Erin Hills looked more friend than foe with 44 golfers breaking par setting a record for the opening round of a U.S. Open.
But not everyone left with a smile as the world’s top six ranked players all failed to get into red numbers. World number one Dustin Johnson opened defence of his U.S. Open crown with a shaky three-over 75 while number two Rory McIlroy opened with an eagle but could not shake the rust, fading to six-over 78 after being punished by the brutal fescue rough on several occasions.
As bad as the Northern Irishman’s day was it was still better than playing competitor world number three Jason Day, the Australian slumping to a sevenover 79 that included two triple bogeys. World No 4 Hideki Matsuyama (74), number five Jordan Spieth (73) and number six Henrik Stenson (74) will all have work to do if they hope to see the weekend at season’s second major.