The year’s third major is off and running, and what an opening day it was.
The golf stretched late into the evening for east coast viewers, so you’re forgiven if you called it a night before the first round was said and done. If you need a refresher ahead of Round 2, here are five things you missed from Thursday’s opening round at Los Angeles Country Club.
A U.S. Open scoring record — twice!
Congratulations, Rickie Fowler! And … Xander Schauffele!
In an incredible start to the U.S. Open, Fowler and Schauffele each fired U.S. Open single-round record scores of eight-under-par 62 — and they finished their rounds just 22 minutes apart. The round also ties Branden Grace’s 62 at the 2017 Open Championship for the lowest round in major championship history.
Fowler and Schauffele share the first-round lead at eight under par — two shots clear of their nearest competitors, Wyndham Clark and Dustin Johnson.
How did the favorites play?
Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy were the odds-on favorites heading into the week, and though they’re trailing the record-setting pace by Fowler and Schauffele, it’s not by much.
McIlroy was the best of the bunch, singing for an opening 65, followed by Scheffler with a 67, Rahm with 69 and Koepka with 71.
Rickie Fowler’s resurgence? It’s been coming for a while
What about Phil Mickelson?
Phil Mickelson’s quest to win a U.S. Open and complete the career grand slam got off to an okay start.
Though he made four birdies on the day, he also suffered three bogeys — two of which occurred during his final four holes. He ultimately signed for a one-under 69 and will go into Friday seven shots behind the leaders.
Who had an unexpectedly disappointing start?
Justin Rose was on many a short list for success at this venue, but his score of six-over 76 has him near the bottom of the leaderboard heading into Friday’s second round.
Jordan Spieth and Sahith Theegala were two other names getting a bit of hype this week, but they also have work to do after starting with rounds of 72 and 74, respectively.
Major winners Jason Day, Adam Scott and Justin Thomas signed for three-over 73s.
What to expect on Friday
The late guys on Thursday will play early on Friday, and vice versa. There’s also a cut coming. At the U.S. Open, it’s the top 60 players and ties who earn the right to play the weekend.
And with a new setup every day, the course could start to show some unexpected teeth where it hadn’t the day before.
And to that we say: Bring it on!