Fowler gets his bid off to a flyer
Englishman lies two off the pace
RICKIE FOWLER made light of the longest course in major championship history to produce a record-equalling start to the US Open yesterday. Erin Hills had been set up to play to 7,845 yards in the first round, surpassing the record set at Chambers Bay in 2015 by 150 yards, but a combination of wide fairways and a course softened by thunderstorms earlier in the week helped Fowler card seven birdies in a flawless opening 65. That equalled the lowest score in relation to par in the first round of a US Open, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf having both shot 63 in the first round on the par-70 layout at Baltusrol in 1980. ‘I’d rather be remembered for something that’s done on Sunday,’ said Fowler, who finished in the top five in all four majors in 2014 but has yet to win one of the game’s biggest prizes.
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 Tommy Fleetwood showed all his class to lie joint second after a fine 67.
A keen bookworm, the modest Scouser is currently reading Iron
Ambition by mike Tyson. Now the next step in his 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 throw from where The open will be staged at Royal Birkdale next month.
‘This is only my second uS open, so you still feel like you’re learning but I’m getting more comfortable on these big stages all the 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 lengths for pars, so I could have ruined it but thankfully I made them all. I’m delighted.’
It wasn’t only the bright young things who enjoyed themselves. Even the game’s grand veterans marched purposefully over the 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 No1 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.
Scots martin Laird and Russell Knox, both looking for their first major, failed to capitalise on their early starts, finishing even and one over respectively.
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 a matter of time. Whatever happens from now on, he has joined 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, bogeyfree 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, Westwood 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 left-handed 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 wideopen fairways might as well pack their bags and go home? Yes, you guessed it — he found the fescue. 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.