A BREEZE COMPARED TO 2008 AT BIRKDALE

PAUL CASEY reckons yesterday’s weatherbeaten first round was nothing compared to the nightmare days when the Open blew him away.

The Englishman (above) was pleased to get round in three over par yesterday on a day when the buffeting breeze made Shinnecock Hills a severe test.

But if that’s the worst the US Open can throw at the field then Casey isn’t too fazed by the rest of the week ahead.

He said: “My worst day on a course was that at Birkdale in 2008 when it was just crazy.

“I think I might have shanked my first drive out of bounds and then I remember hiding behind my bag thinking they have got to blow the horn because this is madness.

“I missed the cut at Muirfield the year the big storm came through there too but Birkdale was probably the worst I have experienced.

“I’ve never seen a US Open this difficult on a beautiful sunny day, it is blowing pretty hard out there.

“This golf course is just difficult. They have done a good job in slowing some greens down but they haven’t held back on the pin positions - some of them are on some big slopes.”

Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka (inset) made a rough start to his title defence as he shot a five-over-par 75. The Erin Hills winner said: “Obviously, it’s really tough. The wind’s blowing about as hard as it can.”