The 123rd US Open starts today at Los Angeles County Club - Matthew Fitzpatrick is the defending champion after winning his first Major in 2022 at Brookline.
A mammoth day lies ahead with 8 hours of tee times and long rounds expected round the tricky course.
Scottie Scheffler is the favourite to win, and is in the early starters. PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka and Masters champion Jon Rahm are also well fancied.
US OPEN LEADERBOARD 2023
- -8 Fowler, Schauffele
- -5 Harman, McIlroy
- -4 Clark
- -3 DeChambeau, Kim, Scheffler, Barjon, English
USEFUL LINKS
- US Open Tee Times
- US Open Betting Picks
- US Open Live Stream
- How To Play Los Angeles Country Club
- US Open Weather Forecast
ARE YOU READY FOR THE CHALLENGE?
72 holes stand between the 156 players and one of them being crowned US Open champion for 2023. But those 72 holes are going to be a massive challenge.
TOUGH ON EVERYONE
The long course, playing time and trouble that the course is going to provide is not just going to be hard on the players. We are working on BST in the UK... long night ahead! So make sure to keep us company!
WEATHER FORECAST
The good news is that the weather is looking pleasant in LA - shouldn't be any weather delays to contend with.
WHO WILL WIN?
Oddschecker.com have Scottie Scheffler as the man to beat. But with Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy also well fancied.
WE ARE UNDERWAY
The 123rd #USOpen has officially begun!@omar_moralesn | @uclamensgolf pic.twitter.com/dgK1NGNZUFJune 15, 2023
The first groups are off... not expecting to type their names on Sunday ... but you never know.
Full US Open Tee Times
FIRST PLAYERS ARE ON THE COURSE!
Hello and welcome to our US Open live blog!
It's gearing up to be a huge weekend of golf, particularly following the seismic news that was announced last week ahead of the tournament.
But there are plenty of narratives coming into this week away from the talk of the merger.
Can Matt Fitzpatrick defend his title after he clinched his maiden Major title in 2022?
What can Rory McIlroy do this week after last week's announcement?
Tommy Fleetwood narrowly missed out in Canada last week, but can he go one better to clinch his first Major title?
We'll be bringing you all the updates, gossip, news and drama live from the LA Country Club this weekend so be sure to stay with us to stay on top of all the latest action from California.
And we're already underway here at the US Open with Micheal Kim, Ryan Gerrard, Berry Henson and Omar Morales having already teed off in the last 30 minutes.
Scott Stallings is just on the tee box and will be teeing off in the next group. We'll be keeping an eye on that shortly.
But first let's take a look at the course...
How do you attack this golf course?
The US Open is dubbed the 'hardest major in golf', which is played on some of the most difficult courses on the PGA Tour circuit.
From Torrey Pines to Winged Foot, we've seen this tournament played out at some of the most difficult courses in the world, and there's no doubt that the Los Angeles Golf Course can match them.
Having looked at the course ourselves, we're expecting the course to play firm and fast, with LA having had very little rain recently.
This week the players will come up against tight fairways and thick rough that looks like it will swallow up plenty of golf balls this week.
🚨#NEW: Balls being dropped in the deep rough videos have surfaced from LACC as the US OPEN approaches pic.twitter.com/Tb221uQoDUJune 11, 2023
The course will play to a whopping 7,321 yards in total which is around 400 yards shy of the South course at Torrey Pines.
It'll play as a par 70 course, with three par 5s, 10 par 4s and five par 3s ranging between 120 yards and a whopping 290 yards.
Scoring will no doubt be tough, especially on the long par 3 holes, but players will be able to take advantage of the warm climates in LA and firm ground to help them strike the ball further.
This will be the first ever Major championship hosted at the LA CC, which has hosted several tournaments in the past including the 2017 Walker Cup. Annual memberships will set you back between $20,000 and $30,000, while a signing on fee costs in the region of $300,000 to $500,000.
ACTION SHOTS FROM LA CC
TODAY'S FEATURED GROUPS
There's a lot to look out for this week and there are some huge groups going out today that you should certainly keep an eye on.
Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood will all be going out within the next 20 minutes and should provide plenty of action out on the course. They'll be teeing off from the first.
At the same time on the 10th, Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Molinari have also been paired together in what'll be another big group, especially after DeChambeau's impressive performance at the PGA Championship.
Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler and Max Homa are set to tee off at 8:13am (PDT)/4:13pm (GMT).
While Xander Scauffele, Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm will all tee off after them at 8:24am (PDT)/4:24pm (GMT).
Lastly, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Hideki Matsuyama will all be teeing off at 1:54pm (PDT) 9:54pm (GMT).
EARLY START FOR MORALES
Amateur player Omar Morales has got off to a good start with a birdie on the first hole.
He teed off in the opening group with Jacob Solomon and Deon Germishuys, while Ryan Gerard and Michael Kim both get their day off to a good start also going one-under.
BACK-TO-BACK US OPEN TITLES?
Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick will also start in a pretty juicy group, as he tees off along side Cameron Smith and Sam Bennet at 1:32pm (PDT)/9:32pm (GMT).
Claiming his maiden Major championship, and only his second-ever win on the PGA Tour, Fitzpatrick climbed up the leaderboard at the Brookline Country Club to outlast Will Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler to win by a shot.
It was a huge triumph for the English golfer, who previously had never finished inside the top 10 prior to the tournament.
This year though, he's looking to finish strongly again, and has been speaking on the layout of this epic course, which boasts a par 3 that extends to 290 yards long.
And while for most that might be a daunting challenge, Fitzpatrick is looking forward to tackling it.
He said: "I think that's amazing. I know there's par-3s here that are 293 yards, I think. Might be able to play a bit longer. I don't know the ins and outs. Yeah, I would argue that at 78 yards, stood there with a lob wedge in your hand, you're going to be a little bit more intimidated than stood there with a 3-wood in your hand.
"I would probably say that's pretty truthful amongst everyone in the field. I imagine that the target is going to be very small and you're going to have to hit a good shot. I think we need more short par-3s that are challenging, so I'm excited to see what that looks like."
SHANE LOWRY ON THE TEE
Here we go then! Shane Lowry gets his US Open underway, but it's not the drive he would have wanted, he drives the ball just right missing the fairway but it is sitting up a little in the rough.
JUSTIN THOMAS FOLLOWS HIM
It's not a great shot either from Thomas, who follows Lowry to the right of the fairway and also finds the rough.
He'll be looking for a solid week here after a few disappointing finishes, being cut from the Memorial Tournament and a T65 finish at the PGA Championship.
IS THIS TOMMY FLEETWOOD'S WEEK?
It was an agonising finish to the RBC Canadian Open for the Englishman. Fleetwood narrowly missed out on clinching his first PGA Tour win to Nick Taylor, who struck a 72-foot eagle putt to win the tournament after four playoff holes.
As agonising as it was for Fleetwood, he has been in solid form recently. He had the chance to win at the Valspar Championship recently too, falling back to T3 in the leaderboard, and he could be a threat this week at the US Open again.
That will be depending on whether he can move on from last week's agonising loss quickly.
He will complete the group with Lowry and Thomas, but has just sent his tee shot wayward into the large bunker on the left side of the fairway. Perhaps its a better place to find yourself than in the thick rough!
MICHAEL BRENNAN CHIPS IN
One player who isn't finding the rough too much trouble is Michael Brennan, who's just holed out with perhaps what could already be the shot of the tournament.
Playing in from about 20 feet off the green, he sends his ball high and wide on a weird angle, but it is a very smart shot, with the ball landing on a slope on the right line and trickling its way down into the hole.
What a chip-in by Michael Brennan! 🤯📺: @peacock pic.twitter.com/0u2PJ0dAmwJune 15, 2023
PIN LOCATIONS FOR TODAY
The course is certainly set to be an obstacle for the players this week. Expect narrow fairways, fast greens and plenty of tricky rough, it'll be a real test of all their skillsets.
But it seems the USGA have also chosen to give the players even more of a test in the first round, with the pin locations, including the 290 yard par 3 11th hole which has been situated in a tricky position on the far left side of the green.
Hole locations for Round 1 of the 123rd #USOpen at LACC. pic.twitter.com/m6oDw7QKUNJune 15, 2023
MICHAEL BRENNAN GOES FULL CIRCLE
Rickie Fowler is just getting his round underway here and sends his golf ball long down the 10th fairway.
He's had an interesting week preparing for the US Open, notably playing a practice round with amateur Michael Brennan.
Brennan actually was inspired as a kid by Fowler, dressing up in an all-orange golf outfit to emulate his hero.
And it seems things have gone full-circle in a heart warming story this week, with Brennan playing a practice round with his hero.
His week has just got even better though, with Brennan playing perhaps the shot of the tournament already to go -1 at the tournament.
Check out the full story here: Amateur Comes Full Circle With Dream US Open Practice Round With Childhood Hero Fowler
What a chip-in by Michael Brennan! 🤯📺: @peacock pic.twitter.com/0u2PJ0dAmwJune 15, 2023
GOOD STARTS FOR EUROPEAN PLAYERS
Shane Lowry and Francesco Molinari have both gotten off to sublime starts at, both going -1 after their few holes.
Justin Thomas, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood are all even, with Fleetwood and Thomas both rescuing from hazardous lies on the first hole.
Meanwhile, Jason Day and Bryson DeChambeau are both +1 after two very poor starts.
COMPENSATION FOR PGA TOUR PLAYERS
Last week's bombshell announcement that the three professional men's golf tours would be merging shook the world of golf and certainly attracted a lot of criticism from players, commentators and fans alike.
One big issue rising from the announcement was how PGA Tour players who had stayed loyal to the tour would feel considering they snubbed big paychecks to join LIV.
But it seems Saudi investors in the game are now looking to financially compensate those who turned down LIV.
Check out the interesting story below...
The Times reports that the Saudi investors in the game will financially compensate the PGA Tour players who turned down LIV Golf https://t.co/a5TV429jCHJune 15, 2023
THE WORLD NO 1 IS UNDERWAY
Scottie Scheffler has just teed off alongside Collin Morikawa and Max Homa, who is playing in his home of Los Angeles this week.
It is one of the featured groups of the day, with the three big hitters set to light up the course today.
It's set to be a big week of golf for the 2022 Masters Champion, who's coming into form just at the right time for this tournament.
He's finished inside the top five in all five of his last appearances, narrowly missing out to Brooks Koepka at the PGA Championship in May.
He's yet to win the US Open, but his stats could prove him to be a favorite coming into the event this week.
While distance will be needed this week, Scheffler's accuracy and ability to gain shots off the tee will be very beneficial for him this week. He's first in shots gained off the tee and first for approaches to the green too.
That twins well with his greens in regulation percentage, which he is also first on the PGA Tour for. If he can continue that form from tee to green, he could avoid the perils of the rough here this week and claim his second Major title.
HERE COMES JON RAHM
Jon Rahm has just sent his tee shot straight down the 10th green. He's teeing off with Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele and will be hoping to do better this week, after finishing +7 at T50 toiling to avoid the cut on the second day.
After a political week in golf, that saw the PGA Tour announce the merger between itself and LIV, Rahm has been speaking on the shock merger claiming some players on the PGA Tour 'felt betrayed' by the announcement.
Ahead of the tournament, Rahm said: "I think it gets to a point where you want to have faith in management, and I want to have faith that this is the best thing for all of us, but it's clear that that's not the consensus. I think the general feeling is that a lot of people feel a bit of betrayal from management.”
Read more: Rahm Admits Many Feel 'A Bit Of Betrayal' After PGA Tour Deal With PIF
HARD LUCK FOR THOMAS, SHAUFFELE HITS SUBLIME PUTT
His ball hits the flag in an approach shot and flies way off on the green.
It seems the players are already being tested by the golf course!
Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele has just hit a stunning 50-foot putt, winding his put down hill to open his birdie account for the day.
Over on the 10th, Viktor Hovland narrowly misses out on a birdie with his ball just teetering on the edge of the hole. Unlucky, but a great start nonetheless for the Norwegian.
RAHM GOES ONE-UNDER WHILE SCHEFFLER STRUGGLES
A great start for the World No 2 who sinks a fantastic putt to go one-under on his first hole.
But it'll be a bogey on the first for Collin Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler, who failed to putt out on their opening hole.
Tommy Fleetwood has also struck a bogey on the second hole, following a great up-and-down on the first.
IS IT HOVLAND TIME?
After winning at the Memorial last week, is this the week that Viktor Hovland finally claims his first Major?
He's definitely been in form this season, managing seven top 10s already, despite winning just twice on the tour and has been knocking on the door several times, narrowly missing out at the PGA Championship placing T2, while also finishing T3 at the Players Championship in March.
And looking at his stats, he certainly stands a very good chance to win in LA this week. The players will no doubt have to contend with plenty of rough this week and Hovland's stats, ranking first on the tour for Rough Proximity, will really play into his hands if he does find himself going wayward on the fairways.
Is it Hovland's time? https://t.co/kjbk5sbge2June 15, 2023
FEARLESS AMATEUR LEADS THE WAY
Omar Morales is striding ahead of the chasing pack here and has narrowly just missed an eagle putt to take a two shot lead.
Even so, he wraps up a very nicely taken birdie to go -3, one shot ahead of Dylan Wu behind him.
BIG CHARGE FROM JORDAN SMITH
After going two-over early on, the Englishman has rallied with a fantastic birdie on the par 5 14th before dropping yet another shot on the 15th to take his score back to evens.
We spoke to Smith earlier this year to find out more about how he prepares for a big tournament like this.
The DP World Tour player gave us some very cool insights on how you can play like the pros, and he gave us an interesting tip on how he focuses his mind when addressing the golf ball, that he actually learned from a psychologist.
Read more: 'You're Looking For The Tiniest Percentages...' Inside The Mind Of A Tour Player
NOT A GREAT START FOR MORIKAWA
It's back-to-back bogeys for Collin Morikawa who's just bogeyed the second hole, missing his par putt narrowly to the right.
It;s been a difficult few weeks for the World No 18, who has failed to finish inside the top 20 in his last six tournaments.
Can he change that this week?
MUST SEE VIDEO
If you don't know that much about Los Angeles Country Club and its North Course, I cannot recommend watching the hole by hole video above.
SAM TREMLETT TAKING OVER
Hello all, Sam Tremlett here taking over from Ed. Absolutely super stoked to be watching this tournament and I am loving how the course is playing so far.
WU, MORALES LEAD
Dylan Wu has just holed another excellent putt to join Morales at three-under. So early in this thing I know, but doing my due diligence to the top of the leaderboard.
Elsewhere Thomas, Fleetwood, Scheffler, Morikawa, DeChambeau and Hovland are all over par.
WATCH OUT FOR DIVOTS ON 3
A talking point we will undoubtedly hear the players complain about is the number of divots on three. Because of the contouring, most balls are ending up in the same place so watch out for that.
RAHM STRUGGLING ON 12
The Spaniard is fighting for a par after a dramatic line off the tee which pretty much ended in the trees. He will have a tough putt to stay in the red. His shoes are absolute fire though (I love The Ringer's from Cuater - super comfy and look great).
We’re loving these special edition major shoes for Jon Rahm. We’re also loving his willingness to do the little foot lean so I could get a better picture. Man understands the #content game. pic.twitter.com/CR1eD22AHsJune 14, 2023
FLEETWOOD DRIVES 6TH
This is why I am enjoying LACC right now. Fleetwood has just driven the green at the super cool par-4 6th hole, as has Justin Thomas, but because of the severity of the slope and the pin location, they both might walk away with pars.
Rahm missed his par putt by the way, whilst Jacob Solomon and Kevin Streelman have got to two-under.
SCHAUFFELE TO TWO-UNDER
American Schauffele has birdied two of his first three holes to get to two-under. Hasn't missed a shot yet, could this be his week?
WILL THERE BE A HOLE IN ONE AT 15?
The Par-3 15th is a wedge for pretty much every player in the tournament this week and despite the pin locations getting more spicy as the week progresses, I've got a sneaky suspicion there could be a hole in one there this week, maybe even today. Watch this space (or go and put a bet on it now).
DECHAMBEAU TO TWO-UNDER
Two birdies in a row for Bryson DeChambeau after he holes a short range birdie on the 15th. A good start into the red.
Also thanks Sky Sports for zooming out and showing some of the houses around this golf course, holy moly there is some money around here.
WORST OUTFIT SO FAR?
One thing I always do on the live blog is pick out the worst outfit on the course so far. For me there are only two options, Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Thomas.
Tyrrell I usually enjoy all your adidas gear but the shirt is tough. And JT, I also love Greyson gear but the pants are even tougher...
JACOB SOLOMON TIES THE LEAD
Solomon has just holed another long putt to tie Morales at the top of the leaderboard. I can't remember if I told you Wu dropped a shot, so I'll say it again, he is two-under.
FOWLER TO TWO-UNDER
My guy Rickie has birdied the 14th to get to two-under for the day. Would be absolutely sick if he won this week.
FIRMNESS/GREENS ARE LACC'S DEFENSE
Just heard Ewen Murray say how the firmness and the greens will be the main defense for Los Angeles Country Club this week and I couldn't agree more. If you get your ball in the wrong spot you will be punished and I cannot stress how cool that is.
6 IS MY FAVORITE HOLE RIGHT NOW
Every time I see a bit of coverage from the 6th hole I am excited. The driveable par-4 is playing about as mundane as it could in terms of firmness and yet it still presents players with the tough decision to go for it, or lay up and give a very tricky wedge shot. I wish I was sitting there and watching players come through all day.
WU BACK TO THREE-UNDER
After getting on the 8th in two, Wu two-putts to get to three-under. What is clear is there are lots of birdies to be had out there right now, but also very easy to get on the bogey train as well.
BEST OUTFIT SO FAR?
I was throwing shade earlier on a couple of outfits so it's only right I give credit where it is due as well. My personal fave is Max Homa's. Crispy shirt with the white pants and FootJoy Field shoes. Love it.
Morales has dropped a shot at the long par-3 11th by the way. Solomon and Wu lead at three-under.
BIT OF SETUP INFO FOR YOU
Just had an email on the media centre talking about the greens and setup. Just passing it on to you to digest;
Putting Green Speed – The average speed this morning was in the mid 13s and will settle to the low 13s and upper 12s as the day goes on. The misty conditions this morning impacted green speeds just a bit. We double cut and rolled greens this morning to achieve these speeds. The putting green at hole 3 is being managed differently due to its severe contours.
Given the contours at LACC those speeds are certainly spicy!
HUGE PAR PUTT FOR HOMA
What a putt that is. Homa looked like a certain bogey at the 5th hole but holes a long-range bomb. It's all about that momentum and quick reminder, this dude has shot 61 here...
SCHAUFFELE BIRDIES 14 TO TIE THE LEAD
The American plays the 628-yard par-5 14th beautifully, hitting a stunning second shot to find himself just off the green, to the right of the pin. He then two-putts from there to join the leaders at three-under.
SI WOO TO TWO-UNDER
Classy.Si Woo Kim with a dart on 15 to set up a birdie look. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/02wlyrlOyLJune 15, 2023
Kim makes the 15th look very simple indeed with a beauty of a wedge, and a holed putt. Golf is easy.
Rickie Fowler also striped a beauty of an iron to the 16th hole and has a chance to join the leaders at three-under.
HOMA BIRDIES 6TH
Max Homa plays the 6th hole beautifully. Lays up off the tee,, sticks a wedge from 96 yards to eight feet or so, holes the putt. AGAIN, GOLF IS SIMPLE.
Scheffler misses his birdie on the same hole, and looks perplexingly at Ted Scott and his putter. Rahm holes a long birdie putt on the 15th. Stuff is happening.
FOWLER TO THREE-UNDER
That iron shot I told you about earlier by Rickie? He then boxes the putt to get to three-under. Some big golf fish are starting to make some moves right now.
THIS IS SO COOL
Woah!😳pic.twitter.com/6NHaLynlfkJune 15, 2023
How often do we see this in a tournament, let alone a Major?! As you can tell, I am loving this right now.
SOLOMON, FOWLER BOGEY
Classic live blogging there. As soon as I say Fowler birdies to get into a tie for the lead, he bogeys to go back to two-under.
Solomon also bogeys and drops back to the same score.
RAHM SPRAYING IT ABOUT
When I say spraying it, he seems to have the lefts today, and yet he is still one-under for his round. The dude is unbelievable. He will need an up and down on the 16th to stay there though.
WHOLE LOT OF AIMPOINTING GOING ON
Lots of players out there are taking there time on the greens mainly through the use of AimPoint. With how slow play already is, and is going to get out there, this doesn't help.
Rahm pulled off an insane up and down by the way. Stays one-under. Unreal.
5 TIED AT THE TOP
Paul Barjon has birdied three holes in a row, and Gunn Charoenkul birdies the 6th which means there are five players tied for the lead at five-under. I definitely think someone is shooting 64 today. Where is Charley Hoffman?
ICYMI - GOLF/FOOTBALL NEWS
On the eve of the 123rd US Open, Rickie Fowler revealed he, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are interested in being part of the imminent takeover of Leeds United by American investment group, 49ers Enterprises.
Asked by Sky Sports if he was technically now a part owner of Leeds, Fowler said: "Not yet, technically. There is the group that's moving forward with being involved with Leeds. Myself, JT (Justin Thomas) and Jordan [Spieth] potentially will be a part of it."
FOWLER BOUNCE BACK BIRDIE
After bogeying his 8th hole, Rickie Fowler birdies the next showing how to play LACC. He missed the fairway left, but hit his approach to the heart of the green and made the putt. He missed in the correct spots and played the smart shot in. He is back into the lead at three-under.
GLOBAL LEADERBOARD RIGHT NOW
The leaderboard looks fantastic and very worldly right now. Got several Americans in there of course but we have Europe represented with France and Spain. Also have Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Canada and Australian players in there as well.
SCHEFFLER FINALLY BIRDIES A HOLE
He has had several chances over his front nine but Scheffler finally gets one to drop at his 9th hole. What is crazy is he is still level par so that puts into perspective just how good of a ball-striker he is. If he putts just slightly better, he will be around on Sunday no doubt.
SOLOMON INTO THE LEAD
Jacob Solomon birdies the short par-3 15th to get to four-under, the first man to do so and he is out in front on his own.
WATCH OUT FOR SCOTTIE
Thats two birdies in a row for Scheffler and he is into the red. Can he go low on his back-nine today?
FOWLER INTO LEAD
Rickie managed a sublime up and down on the first hole (his 10th), and he is into the lead. Love to see it. Solomon then drops a shot and Fowler leads by himself.
FOWLER STIFFS IT AT 2
The American looks to be in quite a groove right now. After a birdie at 1, he finds the fairway at two, and then proceeds to hit an iron shot stone dead. It looks to be a tap-in birdie to get to five-under. As expected, he taps in and sits atop the leaderboard.
SOME UNEXPECTED SCORES OUT THERE
There are some poor scores out there from very good players, some of which I definitely wasn't expecting. Here are some that stand out:
- Thomas, Scott +3
- Reed, Day +4
- Rose +5
- Wise +6
WHAT IS A BARRANCA?
You will have definitely heard someone in the commentary team say this word but what exactly is a barranca?
Put simply, a barranca is a deep gully or ravine with steep sides. At LACC, it features prominently and could have a big bearing on who comes out on top come Sunday evening. It is in play on the second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth and seventeenth.
STATS ON 6
It seems like the NLU guys possibly agree that 6 is the best hole out there right now. Here they've got some stats on the hole, showing there is more than one way to play it.
So far on 6:16 balls "going for it" (or taking the right route): 3.875 average24 balls "laying up" (left route): 3.70 average 12 of the 15 birdies are from the left route. But the lone double and 3 of the 4 bogies are also from the left route. pic.twitter.com/WNuTwOe4qXJune 15, 2023
ALL WORLD BIRDIE FOR XANDER
Schauffele moves to four-under after holing an excellent putt on the 1st hole. He found the rough next to the bunker off the tee, chopped it out, hit a solid wedge in, and banged in the putt. These guys are good.
So is Justin Ray, the GOAT on golf stats...
Xander Schauffele (now -4) has finished in the top-15 at the U.S. Open each of the last 6 years.Before Xander, the last player to do that was Lanny Wadkins from 1981-86.Last player with a longer streak: Jack Nicklaus, 12 straight, 1971-82.June 15, 2023
SCHEFFLER TO TWO-UNDER
I told you he was coming! He holes a long range effort on the 12th hole to get to two-under. Elsewhere Solomon has bogeyed two in a row and Homa is back at one-under.
HOLE IN ONE FOR PAVON
💥 ACE ON 15 💥@matthieupavon #USOpen pic.twitter.com/A3LrX0OGrGJune 15, 2023
Matthieu Pavon has just had a hole in one at the par-3 15th hole! I told you all this would happen earlier today, I am an idiot and never put any money on it.
Golf Monthly's Digital Editor Tom Clarke puts money on a hole in one every Major tournament and yet hasn't done it this time. He is livid.
FOWLER TO SIX-UNDER
That is now four birdies in a row for Fowler as he plays the 3rd hole beautifully to get to six-under.
Then Hovland holes his second shot into the 2nd hole to get back into the red. A LOT is going on right ow.
More roars at LACC 🗣️Viktor Hovland holes out for eagle at No. 2! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/0Eo7m2JtZxJune 15, 2023
XANDER CHASING FOWLER
Schauffele has had two birdies in a row as well and he only sits one back of Fowler at five-under. I knew there would be a 64 from someone out there but I didn't realize this many people would be holing shots and making this many birdies!
Remember this is only day one and the course will become spicier as the week progresses, for all you 'US Open should be over par' purists out there.
FOWLER NEARLY HOLES OUT AT 4!
After finding the deep greenside bunker off the tee Fowler plays a delicious, soft bunker shot that came ever so close to dropping in! Just everything is going right for the American at the moment.
AS THINGS STAND
Here is the leaderboard right now. Lots of interesting names, a few stars, a good mix.
BRYSON, HOVLAND TO TWO-UNDER
The two players make good birdies at the 6th and 3rd respectively. Just four back of Fowler. More stars are starting to climb up the leaderboard right now.
FOX DROPS BACK TO TWO-UNDER
There is now significant daylight between Fowler and Schauffele, to the rest of the field as Ryan Fox bogeys to go back to two-under. Early days yet though.
SCHAUFFELE HOLES GOOD PAR PUTT
I was nearly made to eat my words AGAIN, but Xander helps me out holing an excellent putt for par at the 4th. He is currently bogey free right now.
Scheffler then does the same on a hole he really should've birdied, the 14th.
SOME MAJOR RECORDS FOR RICKIE
There are several Major and course records on the line if Rickie can continue making birdies as he comes down the home stretch. He has another chance at the 6th after a sublime wedge shot to inside 10 feet.
Records on the line today:61: LACC course record (Homa, 2013)62: Low score at major (Grace, 2017) 63: Lowest R1 US Open (Nicklaus & Weiskopf 1980)64: Lowest R1 US Open since 2009 (Weir, Bethpage)June 15, 2023
SCHEFFLER BIRDIES 15
And just like that, three birdies on the back-nine, the latest coming at the 15th and Scheffler is up to three-under. Dude is unsinkable.
FOWLER TO SEVEN-UNDER
With his 9th birdie today, Fowler sinks another putt at the par-4 6th hole. He is now seven-under and some of those records below could be in very real danger right now.
SO MANY STARS TO COME
Couldn't agree more with this tweet. Shout out to The Fried Egg and their video on LACC by the way. Can watch it here.
USGA did a great job separating out the star power amongst the two waves of tee times.It's been a delightful morning and we still have McIlroy, Koepka, Spieth, Cam Young, Cam Smith, Cantlay, Phil, Finau, and DJ to come this afternoonJune 15, 2023
SCHAUFFELE HOLES MONSTER PUTT
Not to be left behind by Fowler, Schauffele holes an absolute monster putt on the 5th to get to six-under. Then Bryson birdies to get to three.
SOME RICKIE STATS FOR YOU
Got some stats sent out by the USGA on Rickie Fowler's performance so far today, just showing how good he has been. This was my personal favorite.
- Rickie Fowler is the first player to reach -6 today, largely on the strength of his putting. He currently leads the field with nearly 7 strokes gained putting. The last time Fowler led a PGA TOUR event in Strokes Gained Putting was at the 2019 Waste Management Open - which also happens to be his last PGA TOUR victory. Fowler ended up with +9.539 Strokes Gained Putting at that event in 2019. He has gained a whopping 7.397 strokes putting through 12 holes today.
SCHEFFLER HOLES ANOTHER
With Rickie carving it right on the 8th hole, Scheffler pours in another birdie to get to four-under. He has found something on the greens on this back-nine no doubt.
FOWLER ESCAPES TREES ON 8
What a great recovery shot that is from Rickie. In the trees he manages to get back into the fairway and a birdie is still possible.
HANDING OVER TO MARK TOWNSEND
And now my four hours is up and I am handing over to Mark Townsend. I am on for the early shift tomorrow so see you all then!
BRYSON: NOT GOT MY FULL 'A' GAME
DeChambeau is round in 67, actually made six birdies. Has a post-round chat and tells us how much emphasis there is on hitting fairways and greens.... says he hasn'y got his best game with him so he's off to hit some balls etc. Also said that he's in a better place than when he won the US Open.
Two top 10s in his last three Major starts...
FOWLER BIRDIE!
Rickie's on the verge of making US Open history here after rolling in another birdie. Drove into trouble, knocked it out, knocked it on and drained the 15-footer. Par for the first US Open 62. He's got the par-3 9th to play, 184 yards.
XANDER SEVEN UP
Schauffele birdies his 16th and he is -7 with two to play. These two have been incredible today and both could pencil their name in the history books. Fowler finds the 9th green but he's at least 40 feet away.
RICKIE!!! FOWLER MAKES US OPEN HISTORY!
Fowler hits a fantastic putt from miles away, is almost kick-in distance. Ten birdies (another first) and it's a 62, the first in US Open history.
Before we all start saying the set-up's too easy blah blah, playing partner Justin Rose opens with a 76, 14 shots worse. Jason Day round in 73.
NOT YOUR TYPICAL US OPEN
We've become used to generalisations of double-bogeys and players quickly running out of patience but we might soon have two players at -8. The winning score the past three years has been -6.
Schauffele is in the throat of the par-5 8th (17), should he chip in he'll move to -9.
Just saying...
BIT OF CONTEXT
How does Justin Ray do it?!
Rickie Fowler's round is the 47,366th in the history of the U.S. Open. It's the first round of 62.Xander Schauffele might join Rickie, though, in about 20 minutes.June 15, 2023
WILL WE HAVE A 61?
Schauffele joins Fowler at -8. Now he has the chance to birdie his last for a 61. Will also sign off at the par-3 9th.
WHO IS PAUL BARJON?
The Frenchman is tied for 3rd, albeit five back of the two Americans. I'll be honest I know next to nothing about Paul. Having read the below I don't feel much closer to him but this is his third US Open... was hoping that he might have played with Dubuisson in 2012 but alas not.
'Barjon will make his third US Open start in the last four years after shooting 11-under-par 133 at the Old Chatham Club final qualifier in Durham, N.C. Barjon owns four worldwide professional victories, including three on PGA Tour Canada, and the 2021 Huntsville Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour. Barjon played collegiately at Texas Christian University, where he was the 2016 Big 12 Conference runner-up. He also represented France in the 2012 World Amateur Team Championship in Turkey, and advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2012 British Amateur.
SCHAUFFELE ALSO ROUND IN 62
Xander comes up well short with his birdie putt. If you were playing in the club knockout you wouldn't be making too much eye contact. In she goes though and he gets an additional hug from Jonny Rahm.
Hovland round in 69 after being +4 early on. Something we'll keep repeating if he gets in the mix.
NOT A LOT OF BUZZ SO FAR..
Maybe it's not coming across on TV but there's not a lot of noise about LACC. Think there were a lot of corporate tickets on the property and there's not much whooping after a pair of 62s. When Branden Grace had his 62 at Birkdale, admittedly on a Saturday, the whole place seemed to be bouncing.
CASHMERE KEITH..
Mitchell has just been accused of wearing flares by Andrew Coltart which says quite a lot about the modern-day golf trouser. A rare touch of style from Keith.
NOT THE IDEAL START
Other than Rose (76) Tyrrell Hatton also off to a poor start with a 74. Jason Day, Tommy Fleetwood, JT and Adam Scott shoot 73s, Lowry a 72. And to reiterate we've just had a brace of 62s.
ON THE TEE... BROOKSY... AND RORY
Defending champ Matt Fitzpatrick begins his defence with a bogey 6. And our most recent Major champ Koepka drives into a fairway bunker. Some of the tees look quite odd here, like they've just been plonked there.
McIlroy hits an absolute pearler. The fairway looks minuscule but he's just split it. He couldn't, cou.. stop it.
ALLEZ PAUL
Our new friend Barjon lips out for an eagle and he rockets to -4. On his own in third. Bienvenue Paul, bienvenue (said in the voice of Del Boy).
HOVLAND'S CLOBBER STEADY AWAY
By Hovland's standards his opening wardrobe effort has been relatively, and thankfully, tame..
RORY TEE SHOT IS INSANE
That McIlroy drive was 382 yards... so, with a rollback, it will be around 365 in 2026. Hits the par 5 with something like an 8-iron at the par 5.
SCOTTIE KEEPS IT SIMPLE
He was never going to let us into much but this is some world-class flat batting.
Q. How would you say you putted today compared to recent tournaments?
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Pretty good. I mean, I rolled it nice, saw some putts go in. Pretty good.
RORY UP AND RUNNING
Koepka three-putts the 1st to open with a 6. Rory two-putts from a similar distance to open with a 4. If he did need a nerve settler (he doesn't) then that's a lovely start for Rory. Would have been a chronic waste of that drive.
NICE PIC
Wayne Riley says with the wind as it is now, it won't be possible to match those 62s this afternoon. These two rascals have done something very special today..
Just a coupla dudes dropping 62s at a US Open pic.twitter.com/dozpwnrYNnJune 15, 2023
MAGIC SPANISH HANDS
Alejandro Del Rey has just smoked a 3-wood to a couple of feet at the reachable par-4 6th. Shot 68-68 at Walton Heath to make it to LA and he should move into red figures.
RORY DOUBLES UP
At the risk of being boring I can't quite recall a leaderboard looking like this. Two players leading by FIVE shots.
That said McIlroy has just rolled one in at the 2nd for another birdie and there will likely be more people getting more excited about that. Tiptoes onto the leaderboard.
SOME XANDER REACTION
Wise words from Mr 62 (the second)
Q. You've played well in US Opens but does this seem like a US Open course to you in the way the set-up is?
XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Yeah, it does. The colours are different. It feels like we're in a park right now and we're used to being sort of on the East Coast with bluegrass and lined fairways and different types of grass which are much darker.
The feel, the stands, everything, the competition definitely feels like a major and a U.S. Open. You just wait until this place firms up. It's going to be nasty.
SARGENT MAJOR
Gordon Sargent is the only amateur to be in red figures after an opening 69. He sounds like an accountant from the Home Counties but the star amateur, who won the NCAA title, is well on his way to a good week.
HIS NAME IS RYO..
Ishikawa has made nine cuts in 23 Major starts and those have been few and far between in recent times. Well he's off to a great start with an opening 69. Earned his seventh US Open start by earning the third and final spot at the Ibaraki Golf Club 36-hole final qualifier in Japan in May.
ICYMI: WE'VE HAD AN ACE
Before today Matthieu Pavon had never had a hole-in-one before. Then this happened...
💥 ACE ON 15 💥@matthieupavon #USOpen pic.twitter.com/A3LrX0OGrGJune 15, 2023
LIV AND LET LIV?
There seems to be less chatter about 'them and us' with the LIV players in the commentary and beyond. Nobody seems to know anything but there does seem to be less toxicity generally (not in the commentary). If anything has happened in the past nine days then we might have all collectively calmed down a bit.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM MICKELSON
Some things don't look quite right. Tiger in FJs these days and Mickelson, who only arrived on Wednesday, is rocking some Nikes. He (sort of) wears them well but they still look quite odd on him.
ONE FOR THE 'ENDERS FANS
This is niche but worth sharing nevertheless.. apropos absolutely nothing, a friend used to live opposite Patsy Palmer in Brighton. Really spot on, I'm delighted to report.
Rickie has always loved barranca.I’ll see myself out. pic.twitter.com/up8CunDZrYJune 15, 2023
THERE AIN'T NOTHING LIKE A DAME
Shout out to Laura Davies. She's become a very nice addition to the Sky Sports team and has relaxed nicely into her role. Some nice ribbing and tells it like it is at times.
BURNS NIGHT!
Another ace! Sam Burns on 15. Will share the video when we get it, it's a crackerjack of a celebration. Even DJ looks tickled.
ACE NO. 2
Burns firing it up on 15... here's that hole-in-one
Another one! @Samburns66 makes an ace at No. 15! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/yuKBbllHW0June 15, 2023
MCILROY ROLLING IT
Whether it's for pars or birdies Rory's putter is working a treat. Three birdies in his first five holes and there has also been a nice par saver. Going in at a nice pace too.
HADWIN STILL STANDING
After THAT man-handling last week Adam Hadwin is round in level par, the same as his countryman Corey Conners. Nick Taylor has played a handful of holes and is +1.
IN THE COPA (DEL REY)
We seem to be getting a lot of adverts so here's that tee shot from Spain's Alejandro Del Rey, at the 6th earlier
Is that any good? 🤯 A near ace at No. 6. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/6e2QJ1QJpzJune 15, 2023
RORY AVERTS SLOPPY BOGEY
McIlroy took on the same par 4 and pulled it into the junk. It appeared that he might well drop a shot on a hole where it's an iron and a flick but he plays a beauty. The putt has bundles of break and he can't make this one. A par 4 probably the right result.
Koepka is now +3 and not much going right for him yet but that will likely change.
RORY BOUNCING ALONG
I won't do this justice but the swing that Rory has just put on a long iron at the 258-yard 7th was a true thing of beauty. Never left the pin, finishes a few feet away. Koepka, on the other hand, fans one way right and is now looking officially out of sorts.
GREAT SCOTTIE
Scheffler's form and ball striking is nuts. Imagine, and this is a silly comment, but imagine if Cam Smith could putt for him.
After his opening round 67, Scottie Scheffler is now 58-under-par in majors since the beginning of 2020 - 25 shots better than any other player in that span.June 15, 2023
SLOW OR GLACIAL?
I haven't kept tabs on the pace of play I'm afraid. There was a lot of chat in the week about how slow things were likely to get but I haven't seen/heard any horror stories yet. Harrington is now playing his 10th hole and he teed off three hours ago so it's probably not great.
Patrick Cantlay is +3 thru 7.
IN THE WORDS OF PAUL BARJON, AU REVOIR
And that's stumps for me. I get so wrapped up in the Majors that I've only just learnt that the Ashes starts tomorrow. I'll hand you over to my esteemed colleague and Royal Troon legend, Mr Andrew Wright, to take you to the close.
Hi, hello, how are you?
Thanks Mark, you are literally too kind. Anyway, let's bring day one (slowly) home.
It doesn't yet feel like a US Open does it?
Rory to -5
My goodness. McIlroy is on a heater here. He makes his fifth birdie of the day at the par-5 eighth to get within three of the leaders.
I'm saying nothing more, we've all suffered enough.
Koepka comeback
Brooks is bouncing back after a rubbish start. A birdie at the eighth got him back to +2 and he's just stuck it close at the par-3 ninth.
Elsewhere, Cam Smith is now -2 after a birdie at the 10th. In the words of Paul McGinley, 'he's trending'.
What have I missed?
My laptop is playing up, but we're back online. The birdies are still flowing. Sam Bennett gets to -3, Harris English to -4, Clark is now -5 and Harman is -6.
Scoring is ridiculously low. Too low? I think so. US Opens should be brutal. Hopefully the USGA gets the leafblowers out through the night.
