An impressive start by the reigning Major Champions at Congressional saw three of the four holders of golf’s biggest titles finish the first day of the US Open nicely positioned under par.
Leading the way was Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel, who kicked off his first appearance in a Major since his Augusta triumph with an opening three under par 68 to lie in a share of second with 2009 US PGA Champion YE Yang.
Fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen, who will defend his Open Championship title at Royal St George’s next month, was just one stroke behind after opening with a 69 while this week’s defending champion Graeme McDowell launched his bid to retain the US Open trophy with a one under par 70.
World Number Three Martin Kaymer, the fourth Major Champion in the field, shot a three over par 73.
McDowell in particular was delighted with his start, and the manner in which he responded to the added pressures of being the defending champion.
“I think there's no doubt this week was a week I've been looking forward to for many reasons,” he said. “Of course I was excited to come here, but I was also excited to maybe close a chapter that was the last 12 months and try and start talking about the future rather than talking about the past.
“I feel like I've spent the last three months talking about Pebble and defending my Open title, and so somehow coming here this week, I really felt that I had already done all the talking and I was ready to move forward.
“I felt really, really good this morning. I felt normal. It felt like a regular Major Championship. It didn't feel like I was defending anything. And I just went out there. I set myself some challenges this morning to go out and try to think well, try to go through my processes correctly, through my routines, and just be patient and enjoy the round. And I really accomplished those things.”
Playing partner Oosthuizen was also in inspired form, mixing four bogeys with six birdies to lie joint fourth at the end of day one.
“Any major tournament I think you're just trying to play, never get too far ahead of yourself or try to make miracle shots, especially early in the tournament,” he said. “You just want to get yourself into a position to have a chance. I think knowing that the golf course will be tough, par is your friend. Par in a US Open is a great score. But this golf course, if you drive it well, you've got good chances of making good scores.”
Schwartzel won the Masters at Augusta in April when he birdied each of the last four holes and his opening round at Congressional ended in much the same vein as he reeled off four birdies in five holes from the third, his 12th, to join Yang in second place.
But Rory McIlroy, leading a Major for the third time out of the last four, is setting the early pace after his brilliant opening 65.
