Fowler burns up course with 65
WORLD NO 9 EQUALS THE US OPEN RECORD Big-hitter Day balloons to a 79 and in danger of missing cut.
Rickie Fowler produced a record-equalling low-scoring round to take a one-shot lead at the US Open on Thursday as the game’s big-hitters failed to fire.
Fowler, the world No 9 from California, revelled in benign conditions at Erin Hills Golf Course to reel off seven birdies and 11 pars in a brilliant 65.
The 28-year-old’s seven-under-par total matched the lowest to par score ever carded in the opening round of a US Open, a record shared by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf since 1980.
With the par-72 course set up at a monstrous 7 845 yards, Erin Hills had been expected to live up to the US Open’s billing of being the toughest test in golf.
But heavy rain, which has softened greens and made fairways more forgiving, levelled the playing field dramatically.
Fowler wasted no time in exploiting the conditions after teeing off on the 10th, rattling off four quick birdies to be four under.
Three more birdies on his inward nine took him to seven under and a piece of US Open history.
“It’s very cool, but it’s just the first round,” Fowler said afterwards.
“It is always cool to be part of some sort of history in golf. But I’d rather be remembered for something that’s done on Sunday.” Fowler leads by one shot from England’s Paul Casey and lowly-ranked American Xander Schauffele.
Casey carded an eagle and six birdies for a six-under-par 66 while Schauffele, the 23-year-old world No 352 also carded a 66.
Yet while Fowler and Casey thrived, defending champion Dustin Johnson, world No 2 Rory McIlroy and world No 3 Jason Day all had a day to forget.
Johnson blamed an errant putter for his three-over-par 75, which included a double-bogey and two bogeys.
“I just didn’t putt very well,” Johnson said. “I missed a lot of really good opportunities. That was the big key for me.”
Day meanwhile was left sliding towards an early exit after a calamitous seven-over-par 79.
Three unheralded players – Brian Harman, Tommy Fleetwood and Brooks Koepka – were in the clubhouse on five under, two behind Fowler.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia meanwhile was on a two-under-par 70.
The Spaniard carded an eagle, three birdies and three bogeys in a roller-coaster round. – AFP