Adam Scott has risen to the occasion to be the leading Australian as Shinnecock Hllls bared its teeth early in the weather-hit US Open outside New York.
A two-hour fog delay kept the field waiting on Thursday before Scott ground out a first-round three-over-par 73 playing his milestone 100th consecutive major championship.
American Sam Stevens snared the clubhouse lead with a two-under 68 as once again the world's best players battled hard to deal with one of the sternest tests in golf.
Two birdies in his first three holes helped world No.2 Rory McIlroy take the early lead before the back-to-back Masters champion signed for a 69 to sit ominously one shot off the pace after the morning wave.
Starting at the 10th, McIlroy holed a 10-foot putt at the short but perilous 11th and then followed that up, holing from more than twice that distance at the long 12th.
