Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson set the first-round pace at the U.S. Open on Thursday on a day of remarkable highs and lows as Tiger Woods shot an 80, his fourth-worst score as a professional.
American Johnson and Swede Stenson fired matching five-under-par 65s on a firm and fast-running Chambers Bay layout while Phil Mickelson made an encouraging start with a 69.
The long-hitting Johnson piled up six birdies and a lone bogey to finish level with Stenson, who birdied four of his last five holes at the British Open-style venue in the year’s second major, being played for the first time in the Pacific Northwest.
They were one stroke ahead of American Patrick Reed, while Americans Matt Kuchar, Ben Martin and amateur Brian Campbell trailed by two.
“I hit the ball really well. Had a lot of good looks at birdie all day,” Johnson, who like Stenson is seeking a first major title, told reporters.
“It’s firm but you could control your golf ball, for sure. Today I controlled my ball very well. The confidence is definitely there. I feel really good about where I’m at and going into tomorrow.”
Stenson joined Johnson at the top after draining a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a homeward nine of four-under 31.
“It was a good day,” said the Swedish world number six. “I was striking it nicely, which led to a lot of birdie opportunities for me.
“I felt like I was really keeping my patience and a level head out there. I hit some beautiful putts and managed to slip a few in there. It was a good way to finish the day.”
Mickelson, who is yearning to complete a career grand slam of the four Majors by winning his first U.S. Open, was “very pleased” after a round that included four birdies and three bogeys.
“I hit a lot of good shots today,” Mickelson, a runner-up at the U.S. Open a record six times, said.
“I shot under par the first day of the U.S. Open.”
Tough day for Indians India’s Shiv Kapur carded a two-over 72 after being three-over after just six holes. He was tied 52nd. Overall, he had three birdies between ninth and 16th against five bogeys.
Anirban Lahiri had a tougher day with a five-over 75 that put him in a grave danger of missing the cut at 123rd place.
Important first-round scores:
65: Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson; 66: Patrick Reed.
67: Matt Kuchar, Ben Martin, Brian Campbell.
68: Cody Gribble, Jason Dufner, Jordan Spieth, Joost Luiten, Francesco Molinari, Marc Warren, Jason Day. 69: Geoff Ogilvy, Miguel Ingel Jiminez, Branden Grace, Colin Montgomerie, Shane Lowry, Phil Mickelson, Kevin Chappell, Brian Harman, Brandt Snedeker, Charlie Beljan, Tony Finau, Ollie Schniederjans.
