RICKIE FOWLER SILENCED Erin Hills critics by shooting a seven-under 65 to grab the first-round lead at the U.S. Open.
A lot of the talk ahead of the tournament surrounded the thick fescue guarding every hole at the Wisconsin course, but Fowler proved quickly low scores were possible.
Fowler, who is still searching for his first major victory, recorded seven birdies during his magnificent bogey-free round as he made the most of good early conditions on Thursday.
His superb 65 matched the lowest score to par recorded in a U.S. Open first round and gave him a one-shot lead, with several other big names struggling.
Paul Casey and Xander Schauffele tied for the lowest round of the afternoon wave with six-under 66s.
Casey has not enjoyed much success at the U.S. Open throughout his career, but he had six birdies, an eagle and two bogeys.
Americans Brooks Koepka and Brian Harman shot five-under 67s and were joined by Englishman Tommy Fleetwood.
Koepka finished his round with six birdies and one bogey. He has peppered leaderboards at major championships over the last couple years, but is still in search of a breakout win.
Patrick Reed returned to form by shooting a four-under 68. He has struggled since a sterling performance at the Ryder Cup, but finished his first round with six birdies and two bogeys.
Kevin Na, Adam Hadwin and Marc Leishman joined Reed at four under.
Hadwin, who started his round on the back nine, quickly fell to two over before birdieing six straight holes – tying the longest streak in the tournament’s history – from the par-five 18th to the par-four fifth.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia led a group at two under, while Adam Scott fought back with two birdies and an eagle on his last four holes to shoot an even-par 72.
But some other big names endured miserable opening rounds.
Jordan Spieth looked irritated while shooting a 73, as defending champion Dustin Johnson, who introduced his second child into the world earlier this week, shot a 75.
World number three Jason Day struggled mightily, shooting a seven-over 79 that included a birdie at the last, while Rory McIlroy carded a similarly disappointing 78 to leave him a whopping 13 shots off the lead already.
There was an eagle at the second but that was the calm before the storm as he endured a miserable back-nine, dropping six shots across four holes.
It was a tough start for the Irish competitors as Paul Dunne sits on three-over and Graeme McDowell one shot further back.
Shane Lowry, meanwhile, is best of the Irish after an opening round 71 left him on 1-under.
Additional reporting by Eoin O’Callaghan.
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Why wasn’t Shane Lowry’s 1-under, as best of the Irish, the headline?
@Pat Noone: because sadly, the42 would rather talk about how badly the “bigger” names are doing than talk about what’s actually going on, don’t get me wrong, Rory doing badly is news, but to give shane one line at the end of the piece is a disgrace!!
@John: calm yourself pal. You can’t win a tournament on the first day but you can lose one. Rory is the story of day one sadly, especially after talking a big game and it going tits up. Lowry played well and will happily go in under the radar.
Rory said during the week if you cannot hit fairways that are 50 yards wide basically you shouldn’t be here looks like it’s going to apply to him also !!!!
When was the last time Rory was in contention in a tournament? Not a dig just a genuine question. To me, he is the most over hyped golfer in the world.
@DL_8_5: He hasn’t contended in his last 3 though finished T7 in Masters without contending. Before that he contended in 7 of the previous 8 winning 2. Recent performance mitigated by the injury he’s carrying. Hasn’t peaked in majors in the past few years but it’s a matter of time before he wins more of them. That potential to win at any time which he’s repeatedly demonstrated is why he’s so hyped. Justifiably imo.
@Damien Kelly: Thanks for that. I like to see him do well. I think he would be better going into some of these tournaments under the radar, although never likely to happen! Also a solid round from Lowry
In the last few years the best British golfer has promised a lot but delivered fuk all. Lots about injuries, making more money, endorsing Donald Trump and being 100% British and very little on challenging for majors.
Perhaps when you give £2m to Irish charities you will be better qualified to criticise McIlroy. Take off your little shamrock pyjamas Robert and head off to work.
@Trevor Johnston: Yea fairplay to Rory for giving 2 mil to charity. Then again when you make 50 m plus a year you’d expect that he’d give something back- in fact it would be very bad form if he didnt. Go back to bed old timer- ive been up since 6:30.
Aren’t you wonderful Feeding the leprechauns were you?
Cratùr