U.S. Open First Round Recap
J.J. Spaun played a surprisingly steady hand Thursday among a wild mix of rare shots and some shockers at Oakmont, playing bogey-free on America’s toughest course for a 4-under 66 and a one-shot lead in the U.S. Open.
Patrick Reed made an albatross — only the fourth in the U.S. Open since it starting tracking such records in 1983 — by holing out from 286 yards on the par-5 fourth. He finished with a triple bogey. Shane Lowry made the first eagle on the par-4 third hole at Oakmont. He shot a 79.
Notable Performances
Scottie Scheffler made more bogeys in one round (5) than he usually makes in a tournament and had his highest start (73) at a U.S. Open.
Fellow Dallasite Jordan Spieth finished in a tie for 11th at even par after a topsy-turvy round with five birdies and five bogeys.
Course Conditions
Oakmont lived up to its reputation with a scoring average of about 74.6 despite a course still relatively soft from rain and moderate wind that didn’t stick around for long.
The rough was particularly challenging, with Rory McIlroy having to hack out three times on the fourth hole to get it back to the fairway, and then he holed a 30-foot putt for a most unlikely bogey. He shot 74.
Player Reactions
“Even for a guy like me, I can’t get out of it some of the times, depending on the lie,” Bryson DeChambeau said after a 73. “It was tough. It was a brutal test of golf.”
“I made some silly mistakes out there, but at the same time, I made some key putts and some good momentum saves in my round,” Scheffler said. “But overall just need to be a little sharper.“
Surprising Leaders
Spaun, who started his round by chipping in from ankle-deep rough just right of the 10th green, was walking down the 18th fairway when a spectator looked at the group’s scoreboard and said, “J.J. Spaun. He’s 4 under?”
Thriston Lawrence of South Africa, who contended at Royal Troon last summer, had six birdies in a round of 67.
And perhaps Brooks Koepka can count as a surprise because the five-time major champion has not contended in a major since winning the PGA Championship in 2023, and he missed the cut in the Masters and PGA Championship this year.
North Texas Ties
The field at Oakmont is littered with North Texas ties, including the world’s No. 1 golfer in Scottie Scheffler.
Find more golf coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Conclusion
The first round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont was filled with exciting moments, surprising leaders, and challenging course conditions. J.J. Spaun took the lead with a bogey-free 4-under 66, while other notable players such as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy struggled to find their rhythm.
FAQs
Q: Who is leading the U.S. Open after the first round?
A: J.J. Spaun is leading the U.S. Open after the first round with a bogey-free 4-under 66.
Q: What was the most notable shot of the day?
A: Patrick Reed made an albatross — only the fourth in the U.S. Open since it starting tracking such records in 1983 — by holing out from 286 yards on the par-5 fourth.
Q: How did Scottie Scheffler perform in the first round?
A: Scottie Scheffler made more bogeys in one round (5) than he usually makes in a tournament and had his highest start (73) at a U.S. Open.
