In a grueling opening day at the US Open held at Oakmont Country Club, the world’s top two golfers, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, faced significant challenges, with only 10 out of 156 players finishing under par.
McIlroy began strong, reaching two under after nine holes, but his performance deteriorated, leading to four bogeys and a double bogey, ultimately finishing with a score of four-over 74. Scheffler, who came into the tournament as the favorite after winning three of his last four events, also had an off day, ending with a three-over par for the round, marked by five bogeys. He acknowledged the need to sharpen his game, stating, “I made some silly mistakes.”
JJ Spaun surged ahead with a stellar four-under round, boasting four birdies in his opening eight holes and standing out as the only player to avoid any bogeys. He briefly lost the lead to South Korea’s Im Sung-jae, who faltered with three bogeys in his final seven holes. Thriston Lawrence trails just behind Spaun, reflecting the fierce competition on this notoriously tough course, which is hosting its 10th US Open.
Former champion Brooks Koepka showcased resilience with a two-under 68, finishing strong with back-to-back birdies, while Robert MacIntyre expressed pride in his level-par round of 70, rating it among his top performances amidst the challenging conditions. Other notable players like Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth also exhibited solid play.
Adding to the round’s excitement, Patrick Reed made only the fourth albatross in US Open history, holing a second shot from 286 yards at the par-five fourth hole, even as a triple-bogey at the last hole left him with a three-over score.
With forecasts predicting dry weather for Friday, the demanding setup of Oakmont—recording the highest first-round scoring average since Shinnecock Hills—suggests that competitors will face even stiffer challenges as the tournament progresses.
This challenging start highlights the unpredictable nature of golf and emphasizes how quickly fortunes can change in high-stakes tournaments. Fans can remain hopeful as the journey continues, with opportunities for dramatic turnarounds and thrilling performances still ahead.