Romain Wattel may have had to change his strategy for his first ever round at the US Open - but the Frenchman was still relishing the chance to take on one of the world's toughest golf courses.
Wattel came through qualifying at Walton Heath to make his debut in the year's second Major Championship and posted an opening 71 to sit at one over par, an excellent score with many predicting an over par winning total this week at Oakmont Country Club.
It could have been even better but for a closing bogey on the 18th on Friday morning, with Wattel left with three holes to complete in his opening round after storms and torrential rain interrupted play on day one.
That wet weather softened up the notoriously difficult layout on the edge of Pittsburgh, and the 25 year old admitted the course was playing very differently to the practice rounds.
"What we were thinking about the strategy before the first round was totally different after the rain because then you could play to the pin," he said. "You did not have to leave the ball so much. So that was a totally different game, I think, from Wednesday to yesterday.
I didn't know what to expect, to be honest, because that's my first one but I was happy to play - Romain Wattel
"I was thinking about this on the course, I was happy to play courses like Valderrama, for example, this year.
"I think we were lucky to have a bit of rain. So it was maybe easier to get close to the pin. It helps me quite a bit because I could get close to the pin and I have birdie chances. So I'm happy the way I played."
Countryman Grégory Bourdy won the qualifying section at Walton Heath and matched Wattel with a 71 in the first round.
"A good opening round," he said. "Of course, the course is not playing the same conditions on the practice rounds. It's softer but still difficult, but I really like the course. I feel very good on it.
"I had four birdies. I played very solid.
You know it's impossible to do no mistakes. So when you do some, you have to accept it, deal with it, and stay focused. So that I did - Grégory Bourdy
"It could be better, but plus one is still okay."
