Daily Mail

CLASS ACT FROM FEARLESS TOMMY

Fleetwood’s hot on heels of early pacesetter Fowler

- DEREK LAWRENSON THIS is the eighth career major championsh­ip for Tommy Fleetwood. He has made the cut in just one of the previous seven when he tied 27th at the US Open in 2015

SO much for all the fears about the rough. This was a day at the US Open like few others, as the supposed terrors of Erin Hills lay dormant — buried amid an avalanche of good scores in a fascinatin­g first round.

Leading the way was colourful American Rickie Fowler, who equalled the tournament record opening- day score in relation to par with a wonderful seven under 65, while England’s Tommy Fleetwood showed all his class to liee joint second after a fine 67.

A keen bookworm, the modest scouserr is currently reading Iron Ambition byy Mike Tyson. Now the next step in hiss exciting evolution must be to become a contender himself come Sunday at a major.

He has certainly made a bright start after staging a clinic with his driver and holing more than his share of important putts.

‘I just putted brilliantl­y,’ said the 26 year old, who grew up a stone’s throww from where The Open will be staged at t Royal Birkdale next month. ‘This is onlyy my second US Open so you still feel like e you’re learning but I’m getting moree comfortabl­e on these big stages all the e time. I think every player who was out in the morning knew it was the day where you had to take advantage. I had putts on six of my last seven holes of varying arying lengths for pars so I could have ruinedned it but thankfully I made them all.l. I’m delighted.’

It wasn’t only the bright youngng things who enjoyed themselves.s. Even the game’s grand veterans s marched purposeful­ly over thee 8,000 yards of rolling hills as Lee Westwood and Ernie Els — 20 years after the second of his two US Open wins — shot 69 and 70 respective­ly.

This was only the third time in 18 appearance­s in this event that 44 year old Westwood has broken 70 in the opening round.

‘There’s plenty of room out there and plenty of opportunit­ies but any course would have set up well for me given how I played here,’ said the Englishman, competing in his 77th major. ‘My ball striking was really back to its best.’

Not everyone prospered. It was positively shocking to watch Jon Rahm labour to a 76 on a course seemingly right up his alley. He is 22, after all.

World No 1 and defending champion Dustin Johnson only got here on Tuesday after becoming a father for the second time and his lack of competitiv­e edge showed as he laboured to a 75. But for the patient and the prepared, here was an ideal opportunit­y to take advantage of a morning tee-time before the wind gathered.

Each of the last six majors has been won by first-timers as some of the great ball strikers have finally gained their due. Men like Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, and Johnson.

Now comes Fowler, desperate to rid himself of an unwanted label as the best of the present generation still to win a Grand Slam.

When he’s in full flow, it feels like it’s just a matter of time. Whatever happens from now on, he has certainly joined some distinguis­hed company already.

Not since 1980 has anyone shot a round of seven under par on the first day of this event and the two who did so back then just happened to be Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf.

Now Fowler has joined them following an impeccable, bogey-free display.

For those like Fowler and Fleetwood who started from the tenth, the 18th, 1st and 2nd holes — two par fives and a short par four — were a chance in the middle of the round to establish momentum. Both players birdied all three.

‘You don’t get many rounds at a US that are stress-free but that was certainly one of them,’ said

Fowler. ‘I’d been swinging the club well in practice and I’m glad it carried over.’

As for the American idea he is the best player without a major — look away, Westy fans — he added: ‘I take it as a compliment given how many really good players there are who haven’t won one. Hopefully I can get one soon. I like the way this course sets up.’

Alongside Fleetwood in second place was his left-handed playing partner Brian Harman and bighitting American Brooks Koepka.

Patrick Reed was another who gorged himself on the immaculate greens. He has barely done anything of note since his turn as American hero at the Ryder Cup last year. Here he shot 68.

On any day at a major there will be some horror stories, but it was still surprising to see them compiled by in- form players like Rahm, Thomas Pieters and Tyrrell Hatton. All three shot themselves in the foot with 76s.

Rahm gave his golf bag a hefty kick after one untidy three putt and it might have been his only clean strike all day. As for Pieters, perhaps the Belgian will revisit his bizarre schedule after playing only two tournament­s in the nine weeks since his fourth place at the Masters.

Regarding the afternoon starters, the inevitable duly happened to Rory McIlroy with his opening drive. Remember his comment that anyone who missed these wide-open fairways might as well pack their bags and go home? Yes, you guessed it — he found the fescue rough.

He was glad he didn’t go home, mind, after rescuing par and then notching a spectacula­r eagle two at the 338-yard, par-four second, where he drove the green. What a way to announce your return.

 ?? GETTY IMAGES ?? Cap it all: Fleetwood hits his drive at Erin Hills
GETTY IMAGES Cap it all: Fleetwood hits his drive at Erin Hills
 ?? NEWSCOM ?? Eagle-eye: Rory McIlroy made a fabulous start
NEWSCOM Eagle-eye: Rory McIlroy made a fabulous start
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