Padraig Harrington was left frustrated with a closing bogey as he opened his US Open Championship account with a level par 71.
The Irishman was three behind clubhouse leader Y E Yang as a result, but despite being inside the top 20 felt his round should have been better.
“I'd have taken it before I went out,” said the three-time Major Champion. “It always feels bad - if I birdied the last for level par instead of bogeying, I'd feel better than I do now. But certainly I missed a few birdie chances out there, but I also made a few out there as well. It's probably a fair reflection, even though I would have been have liked to have been a few shots better.
“I thought the course played very well. I think if you've got your ball in position off the tee, there was certainly plenty of nice pin positions, a few pins and bowls that you feel like you can make some birdies.”
Harrington, who mixed three birdies with three bogeys, was pleased with his approach play at Congressional Country Club.
“My iron play was good, and my score was pretty good,” he added. “As I said, I'd be pleased with the score, even though I should have been a couple better. When I got it in position, I did hit my irons pretty close.
“This morning is as easy as you're going to get and only three under par leading.”
