World No. 624 Landry makes history as Westwood shines
American records the lowest first-round score of any US Open held at Oakmount
UNHERALDED American Andrew Landry created history in the weatherdelayed US Open as Lee Westwood found himself in contention for a longoverdue first major title at Oakmont.
Landry was facing a birdie putt on the ninth, his final hole, when play was abandoned for the day on Thursday after numerous thunderstorms dumped more than an inch of rain on the course.
And the world No.624 calmly holed out from 10 feet when play resumed yesterday to complete a four-under-par 66, the lowest first-round score in nine US Open championships at Oakmont. The previous best of 67 was set by Ben Hogan in 1953 and matched by Gary Player in 1973.
“Someone just told me I broke the record so that’s pretty cool,” said the 28-year-old from Texas, who had not even shot lower than 68 this season in 11 starts in his rookie year on the PGA Tour. “I read the putt last night and it was a pretty easy putt to make.
“The US Open suits my game so well because I’m not a guy who is going to make lots of birdies.
“I’m going to make a lot of pars and hang in there. It’s a hard golf course and those are the type that suit me really well.”
Westwood had four holes to play on Friday and completed them in two under thanks to birdies on the eighth and ninth, the 43-year-old signing for a three-under-par 67, his lowest opening round in 17 US Open appearances.
The former world number one then received the welcome news that Thursday’s early starters would not start their second rounds until Saturday after initially being given a start time of 8:43pm on Friday evening.
“I’ve been playing well and was really looking forward to coming back to Oakmont,” said Westwood, whose tie for second with Jordan Spieth in the Masters extended his unwanted record of most top-three finishes in major championships without a victory to nine.
“I had a good experience here last time and I like a challenge. I picked up where I left off at the Masters and the last three events (which produced three top-15 finishes) and I’m very pleased to make a good start.
“The Masters gave me a big boost. I had not contended in a big tournament for a while so it was nice to give myself a chance and feel those emotions again.”
Westwood’s 67 was later matched by American Dustin Johnson, who carded the only bogey-free opening round as he looked to make up for the heartbreak of finishing second last year after threeputting the 72nd hole.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Ireland’s Shane Lowry were just a shot behind, Lowry completing his 68 with birdies on the 14th and 17th, although he expected to do even better on the latter.
“The way my dad was clapping I thought it was on the green,” Lowry said of the driveable 17th. “I was bouncing along the fairway thinking I had a 20ft putt for eagle and got up there and it was 30 yards short of the green.
“The lads are going to sellotape his hands together tomorrow.”
Lowry has yet to capitalise on a number of good opening rounds this season but added: “Weeks like this I tend to get my head around it. I know it’s going to be tough and you are going to miss greens and make bogeys so maybe when I am like that I can accept bogeys a little easier.”