Poulter and DJ shine as Shinnecock spews carnage
What happened on the opening day of the US Open?
Nobody can really tell how a golf course is going to play until Thursday morning.
Before a ball was struck, there were murmurs that Shinnecock Hills was playing fairly modest.
Fairways had been widened and persistent rain on Wednesday had softened the course.
But, as we all know, the USGA has never been keen on its golf courses yielding copious amounts of birdies. Last year’s winning score of 16-under at Erin Hills would have wounded Mike Davis and co.
And it showed on the opening day of the 2018 US Open, as Shinnecock Hills wreaked havoc among the world’s best.
Only four players broke par, with Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson the shining lights.
The Englishman, Poulter, went out in the morning and continued his career resurgence to show up the likes of Rory McIlroy (+10), Jordan Spieth (+8) and Phil Mickelson (+7) by signing for a round of 69.
Poulter was matched in the clubhouse by Scott Piercy, who was the first alternate on Monday to fill the field to 156 players.
The afternoon was all about Johnson, who picked up from where he left off in Memphis to fire a 69. The world No.1 got to three-under at one point courtesy of magnificent touch on and around the glass-like greens – the same greens that were baffling Tiger Woods who four-putted the 13th on his way to an opening 78.
Russell Henley also managed to get to three-under on the front-nine, but the American came home in 37 to match the clubhouse lead.
Elsewhere, it was a forgettable day for England’s Scott Gregory, who made just three pars in a round of 92.
Talking point
What to make of Tiger Woods’ opening round?
Expectations have to be tempered – after all, this is only his second major start since he returned to the game after fusion surgery.
But Woods has been impressive so far this season and many would have expected him to contend here on a golf course that puts emphasis on approach shots and touch around the greens.
Woods got off to the worst of starts. Standing in the middle of the fairway at the first, he flew the green and watched his flop shot trickle back to his feet.
A further four putts followed – two from off the green – on his way to an opening triple-bogey.
Woods then bogeyed the second hole, but then he started to steady the ship with a birdie at the fifth and plenty of pars.
The wheels then fell off, with back-to-back double-bogeys at the 13th and 14th. He would go on to par the final four holes to shoot a 78, nine shots adrift of the leaders.
The concern for Woods in recent starts has been his normally excellent putting, and that, seemingly, has continued into this week as he made hardly anything on the greens.
Woods will likely be fighting to just make the cut on Friday, but if he can post an under-par score, he won’t be out of this just yet.
Best quote
Ian Poulter:
My game’s good. I feel confident. I feel happy. I feel happy off the golf course. And that makes it a lot easier on the golf course.
Best moments
.@DJohnsonPGA joins Piercy, Poulter and Henley in the clubhouse at 1-under 69. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/KpTFvaQw5O
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Not the finish he wanted, but ultimately, @RussHenleyGolf is only the third player to get into the clubhouse under par. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/lfBJt92pU4
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Slam. Dunk. What a way to end your round, @BurmyGolf! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/dDilmkueuS
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Somebody must have told @RussHenleyGolf about DJ's holed bunker shot. The two are now tied at the top. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/43M8CfrzDS
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Sharing is caring! @DJohnsonPGA wanted to join @JasonDufner at the top of the leader board. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/mGGKkSRUoP
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Sometimes it's a group effort! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/9XKvL4k6Vd
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
He may be the ? No. 1️⃣, but he's now ✌️ under! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/DHOkYcvRY3
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Could this be the start of back-to-back weeks with victories for @DJohnsonPGA? #USOpen pic.twitter.com/PdnRRZAEMM
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
How do you get yourself on the #USOpen leader board? Making an eagle is a pretty good way! pic.twitter.com/pYDa2uRFcJ
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Perfect read to saves par … That's how @DJohnsonPGA likes to start a round! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/hcGTmkOEPx
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
The Spanish Armada is proving its strength in the air and on the ground. ?? #USOpen pic.twitter.com/UMd7vxmT6B
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
A nice 1-under 69 for Ian Poulter to tie for the early clubhouse lead. And he can hardly contain his excitement. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/8pAyXGmjTN
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Scott Piercy was an alternate. Scott Piercy is the first player to post a red number in Round 1. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/bGUq5FBzeP
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Great Scot! Calum Hill moves into a share of the lead with an ?. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/cSD8TtULt4
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
From off the green, into the hole! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ZLbzT7mw41
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 14, 2018
Best stats
.@JordanSpieth’s 78 is his worst score in 22 major championship starts (79 rounds). @PGATOUR
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) June 14, 2018
Today was Rory McIlroy's first score of +10 or worse, worldwide, since the 2008 South African Airways Open.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 14, 2018
A first round leader or co-leader has gone on to win the U.S. Open 10 times since 1960 (17.2% in that span).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 14, 2018
Last player to win the U.S. Open with an opening round score of 75 or higher: Raymond Floyd in 1986 – here, at Shinnecock Hills.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 14, 2018
The last time a player led the US Open after the first round at level par or worse?
Bob Tway, 1986, Shinnecock Hills. #USOpen
— National Club Golfer (@NCGmagazine) June 14, 2018
I have seen golfing hell – its name is Shinnecock Hills
The course is all sorts of strange colours – it can only be US Open week
The ‘fun golf’ approach didn’t work – so what now for Rory?
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
