World Number One Luke Donald made a dream start to the US Open Championship with birdies on two of the most feared holes at Congressional Country Club.
Donald, seeking his first Major Championship victory, hit his opening tee shot to the short 10th over water to four feet and, after a two there, he instantly went to two under with a 14 foot putt on the 494 yard uphill par four 11th.
A bogey at the next par three, the 13th, sent the Englishman back to one under, but he remained in a tie for the early lead alongside the likes of former Open Champion Stewart Cink and Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson.
Also on one under were Americans Kevin Streelman, JJ Henry, Ryan Palmer and Brandt Jobe, along with South Africa's Ernie Els and Australian Nick O’Hern.
Donald was paired with Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, ranked two and three in the world and the two players who could take the top spot back off him this week.
Kaymer also birdied the 10th, but failed to get up and down from sand at the next and returned to level par, while Westwood was also bunkered there and slipped to one over.
Padraig Harrington bogeyed the 11th but birdied the 12th, while Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell began his defence with a bogey only to make quick amends with a two on the 233-yard second.
