Jack Nicklaus is the holder of many records, plenty of them related to his performance at U.S. Opens. But after the first round at Winged Foot, he’s the holder of one fewer.
Thanks to Louis Oosthuizen shooting the quietest 67 you’ve ever seen, he broke a Nicklaus record in the quietest way, too. His three-under total was his eighth career 67-or-better round at a U.S. Open, good for the most by any player ever.
Oosthuizen has never won a U.S. Open, and only has three career top 10s in that event. Nicklaus, meanwhile, has won four U.S. Opens. Nonetheless, Oosty is now the best ever at carding 67s or lower.
Three of those came during the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay. Oosthuizen quietly shot 77 in his first round at the Washington course before responding with a 66 to make the cut, another 66 on Saturday and a finishing 67 on Sunday, where he lost by one stroke to Jordan Spieth.
Last year at Pebble Beach, Oostuizen matched Nicklaus’ total of seven 67s or better with an opening 66.
On Thursday at Winged Foot, Oosthuizen started on the back nine and turned in 37, only to make three birdies and an eagle on the front nine for a 37-30.
The only disappointing aspect now is that Oosthuizen didn’t speak with reporters after his round Thursday. Another ho hum 67 is all we’ll remember it as.
