The Country Club is a real golfing treasure

Rory McIlroy has won the US Open on one occasion before and that was in 2011.  On day one he is making a sparkling effort to seize another Major at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachuttes.  The player from Northern Ireland shot a 3-under par 67 to share the early clubhouse lead with four birdies but, alas, also one bogey at the 9th hole.

 

Late starter Adam Hadwin from Canada had an incredible day at The Country Club where he carded a 4-under par 66 to take the outright lead by one stroke.  He blemished his card with two bogeys, the first being at the 3rd and then another at the 12th.  But six birdies saved the day of which five were on the front nine.

 

The 34-year old broke through on the PGA Tour with victory in the 2017 Valspar Championship which was his 12th win as a professional.  The US Open is his 7th attempt to win this Major.

 

So who else is in second place with McIlroy?

 

Well, there are a number of other Brits brushing shoulders with McIlroy.  Callum Tarren is playing in his second US Open.  An early start at 6.45am saw the 31-year old also card a 3-under par 67.  MJ Daffue (South Africa), David Lingmerth (Sweden) and Joel Dahmen also scored 67s to share second spot with McIlroy.

 

Seven players then came in on tie seventh with a 68.  There were two Englishmen among them:  Matt Fitzpatrick and past winner Justin Rose.  Major winner Dustin Johnson and four other Americans are also in that seventh tussle for victory.

 

Thinking of the American big guns

 

Brooks Koepka, who won the US Open in 2017 and 2018, opened with a 73.  Jordan Spieth who seized the crown in 2015 shot a 72 on day one.

 

And if you are wondering how the 20-year old amateur Maxwell Moldovan from Ohio is playing in his first US Open.  Well, he was so-so happy with his 75.

 

Dutchman Will Besseling is also playing in his first US Open and shot a lovely round of 71 as the only golfer from the Netherlands this year.  Victor Perez, the recently-crowned Dutch Open Champion shot a 3-over par 73.  Defending Champion, Jon Rahm from Spain settled into the opening round with an impressive 69.

 

With still 54 holes to play, the US Open is still anyone’s to seize.  So all I can say is, please enjoy the play today!

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy delights in a share of second spot in the US Open after day one.