We had broken records, a brace of aces, a spectacular effort that almost made that a hat-trick and some Hovland magic on day one of the U.S. Open.
Here is everything you need to know about Thursday at Los Angeles Country Club in California.
History men Fowler and Schauffele set the pace
Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele wrote their names into Major Championship and U.S. Openhistory as they shared the lead after day one. Fowler made ten birdies and two bogeys in a stunning 62 that was the lowest round ever at a U.S. Open and matched the lowest round at a men's Major - posted by Branden Grace at The Open Championship in 2017. The 34-year-old might have expected to have a commanding advantage after such a stellar performance but he held the solo lead for less than half an hour as fellow United States Ryder Cup star Schauffele also got to eight under after a bogey-free effort. Wyndham Clark and Dustin Johnson were two shots back on a leaderboard dominated by home stars, with Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex leader Rory McIlroy and American Brian Harman at five under.
Just a casual meeting of the #USOpen 62 Club.
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 16, 2023
The only two members, in fact. pic.twitter.com/rFEw3w4GSg
McIlroy impresses despite late blemish
McIlroy looked incredibly confident and composed as he carded a 65 that was only spoiled by a bogey on the last. He got off to a sensational start, sending a drive 382 yards down the first to set up a two-putt birdie on the par five before another huge tee-shot helped him register a gain on the second from 13 feet. A 20-footer on the fifth moved him to three under and he was five under at the turn after reducing the 258-yard par-three seventh to three feet and making a 28-foot putt on the eighth. He could not quite maintain that momentum but broke a run of six pars with a tee-shot to ten feet at the 15th before dropping his only shot of the day after leaving his ball in the greenside rough on the last.
A strong start @McIlroyRory ✍️
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 16, 2023
Three shots off the lead.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/MAarplSu0I
Perfect Pavon makes an ace
Matthieu Pavon made a memory for a lifetime with a hole-in-one during the first round in LA. The Frenchman's tee shot into the par-three 15th pitched a few feet past the pin, took one forward bounce before it gripped and rolled back into the cup. The ace - the first of his career - sparked a jubilant reaction from Pavon and delighted the watching crowds in the grandstand behind the tee as he was congratulated by playing partners Ryo Ishikawa and Kevin Streelman. "I don't know how many players have got a hole-in-one in a U.S. Open," said Pavon. "It's quite cool to be part of this group of people and it's my first as a professional. So sharing this with the crowd today was just a moment I would never forget."
🚨 Matthieu Pavon hole-in-one!🚨🇫🇷@matthieupavon | #USOpen
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 15, 2023
pic.twitter.com/eFm3x5clzs
Anything you can do........
Pavon's ace was the 49th in U.S. Open history and later in the day we had the 50th at the same hole from Sam Burns. Some celebrations as well - watch your heads, gents.
Another one! @Samburns66 makes an ace at No. 15! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/yuKBbllHW0
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2023
So close to the ultimate ace
When you've seen two holes-in-one, a shot that is almost a hole-in-one might not seem quite so spectacular - unless it's on a par four. Take a bow Alejandro del Rey. “I think I will go for the green every day," he said. "The big number comes from laying up and missing the second shot. I think when you get in trouble off the tee, you hit it where you might hit your second shot with your lay-up. A drive, at worst, has you chipping out onto or beside the green and two putting. “
US Open rookie @a_delrey58 almost makes ace…ON A PAR 4!!?#USOpen
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 15, 2023
pic.twitter.com/JkQNrNknZu
From 164 yards..........
......Viktor Hovland did this. Yet another sensational eagle.
Viktor Hovland hole-out eagle! 🇳🇴#USOpen pic.twitter.com/XL0OcvjcmY
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 15, 2023
Brilliant Brennan puts on a show
The imagination required for this shot was something else. You might not see a better one by an amateur or anyone else all week. Well played, Michael Brennan.
BANG! 💥
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2023
Michael Brennan of @WakeMGolf with the shot of the day so far! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/gCc3DQyMwj