DJ & Stenson Off to Hot Starts at 115th U.S. Open

By: Jay Flemma


Dustin Johnson and Henrk Stenson each fired 5-under 65s to share the 18-hole lead at the 115th U.S. Open. The second major of the year got underway Thursday at the firm-and-fast course at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.

Johnson, a 30-year-old South Carolinian who came close to winning the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, carded six birdies. Starting on the 10th tee in the morning group, the nine-time PGA Tour winner's only dropped shot of the day came on his final hole, the par-3 ninth.

Despite that misstep, Johnson, whose latest victory came in the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March, was pleased with his performance. "I really felt like I swung it well all day. I hit a couple of bad drives and then I hit, really only had one bad iron swing, and that was on No. 9 today. But other than that, I really felt like I swung it well and hit a lot of quality iron shots. So the confidence is definitely there. I feel really good about where I'm at and going into tomorrow.

As for his thoughts on Chambers Bay, a relatively new course that opened in 2007, Johnson added, "I think it's great. Obviously this is a beautiful golf course, great views and looking out on the water and stuff, it's a beautiful place. All the people around here have been very nice and good fans. It was a lot of fun out there today."

Stenson, who has nine top-10 finishes in majors, posted seven birdies and two bogeys after beginning his round on the first tee. He, too, was excited about how he negotiated the all-fescue links layout bordering Puget Sound. "It was a good day. I was striking it nicely, which led to a lot of birdie opportunities for me," said the 39-year-old Swede. "I felt like I was really keeping my patience and a level head out there and very focused on the things that I wanted to be focused on. And then finished off with - it was a good day on the greens in all, but especially the last five holes.

"I hit some beautiful putts and managed to slip a few in there. It was a good way to finish the day. And good shape, one day out of four done, and we're right there with where we want to be. It's still a long journey until Sunday afternoon, of course. A good start always helps. Looking forward, I just got to do more of the same of what I did today and hopefully I can continue to post some good numbers."

Stenson, who came out to Washington a couple of months ago, noted that his early scouting of Chambers Bay was helpful. "It definitely helps to know what you're up against, especially on a challenging golf course like this one. And, yeah, there's been a lot of talk about the course and I'm sure that's going to continue, depending on how you view it," Stenson said.

"It certainly helped me to settle in, knowing - having a plan in place and knowing what to expect. So that was certainly worth the trip. I'm here to do my best and to do a good job out there. Regardless of whether you like all the holes, you like some of the stuff on this course, I'm here to do a good tournament and a good championship. So just keep your head down and keep on going, that's what's going to get me in a good spot."

Patrick Reed also had a fine day as the 24-year-old from San Antonio opened with a six-birdie, two-bogey 66. "Any time you come out in a U.S. Open and put together a round that is under par is always a good star start," said the four-time Tour winner.

"To come out and hit the ball the way I did, I hit - I only missed three fairways and missed two greens. So if you can do that around this kind of golf course in a major championship, you are going to give yourself a chance. Hopefully I can just continue it on for the rest of the week and make some more putts."

Phil Mickelson, in search of his first U.S. Open title that would give the five-time major champion a career Grand Slam, opened with a 1-under 69. After making the turn in 3-under, Lefty could only manage one more birdie and three bogeys.

The ever-positive Mickelson, who's finished second a remarkable six times in the U.S. Open, liked his position after 18 holes. "I'm very pleased with the way the round went. I hit a lot of good shots today," said Mickelson, who won the 2013 Open Championship. "I shot under par the first day of the U.S. Open. The first round was the round I was going to be most nervous at, getting started. You don't want to have to fight to come back all the time.

"You want to get off to a solid start around par. And I got off to a good start and shot 1-under. Made a couple of bogeys coming in. The one on 14 was a good bogey, I'll gladly take that. Missed a couple of birdie opportunities on 16, 17 and 18, but really pleased to be under par after the first round."

Cole Hammer, at 15 the third-youngest player to qualify for a U.S. Open, shot a 77 that involved five bogeys and two doubles; he didn't drop a stroke all day. Still, the Texas teenager, who said a prayer before teeing off, was encouraged by his first round on a huge stage.

"I hit a lot of great short-game shots. I struck the ball fairly well, other than the drives that I really missed pretty badly on. But there's a lot of positives that I take away from today that I think will definitely help me going into tomorrow."

Fourteen-time major champion Tiger Woods, in search of his fourth U.S. Open title, had a 10-over 80. "It's one of those things, just got to work through it. I'm trying as hard as I can to do it, and for some reason I just can't get the consistency that I'd like to have out there," Woods said.

Playing in Tiger's same group which will be repeated Friday morning, were reigning Players champion Rickie Fowler and Louis Oosthuizen. It was ugly all around, as Fowler carded an 81 and Oosthuizen, who won a Claret Jug in 2010, a 77. Combined, the illustrious threesome was 28-over par on the public course.

For updated scoring, see http://www.usopen.com/en_US/scoring/index.html.