2023 US Open leaderboard: Latest updates as Rory McIlroy starts ...
California plays host to the third major of the golfing year as a strong field takes to the course at Los Angeles Country Club for the 2023 US Open this week.
It is the first time in 75 years that the US Open is being played in the city with LA Country Club hosting the event for the first time. A challenging layout is expected for the players with low scores unlikely as the Californian course looks to test the contenders across four demanding rounds.
Brooks Koepka is among the favourites to back up his victory in the US PGA Championship but will face stern competition from the likes of world no.1 Scottie Scheffler and Masters champion Jon Rahm. Rory McIlroy cannot be discounted while Matt Fitzpatrick will be hoping to produce his best golf as he bids to defend his US Open title.
The unexpected news of a merger between the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series and the PGA Tour only adds to the anticipation though it will be a while before the full ramifications of the merger are realised.
Follow all the action from the 123rd US Open:
US Open 2023The US Open opening round kicks off at the Los Angeles Country Club
PGA Tour chief defends Saudi golf deal: If they were ‘involved’ in 9/11 ‘I’ll kill them myself’
Rickie Fowler makes history with lowest round in US Open history
Xander Schauffele joins Fowler in the record books with his bogey-free round of 62
Rory McIlroy starts well playing alongside Brooks Koepka in the afternoon wave
Leaderboard: -8: Fowler, Schauffele; -4: McIlroy, Harman, Clark; -3: Scheffler, DeChambeau, SW Kim, Barjon, Burns; -2: Homa, Finau and more
Smith back in the red00:02 , Ben Fleming
Smith -1 (8), Bennett -2 (8), Fitzpatrick +2 (8)
Cam Smith is one of the game’s better putters and he gives his long-range eagle a great look but it slides just past. A birdie, though, moves him back to one under. Bennett misses out with a very makeable birdie putt and makes par, as does Fitzpatrick who got himself in trouble off the tee.
Fourth birdie for McIlroy23:57 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -4 (7), Koepka +3 (7), Matsuyama E (7)
It’s a mere tap-in and Rory makes no mistake - that was all set up by the delightful iron off the tee. He’s now into a tie for third and only four strokes off the early pacesetters.
Koepka does really well from the right rough to make his par while Matsuyama misses out on birdie and remains at even par.
Glorious from McIlroy on seven23:50 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (6), Koepka +3 (6), Matsuyama E (6)
The seventh is a mammoth par three but Rory is up for the challenge as he fires in a delightful four iron to just under three feet. That should be birdie number four for him.
Matsuyama also finds the putting surface but Koepka’s struggles continue as he flails one out to the right - he’ll have work to do to save his par.
Harman and Clark continue their charge23:47 , Ben Fleming
Harman -4 (7), Clark -4 (9)
Another pair of birdies for these two Americans who move into a tie for third on their own. Plenty of birdies still out there it would seem.
Missed chances for McIlroy, another bogey for Koepa23:44 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (6), Koepka +3 (6), Matsuyama E (6)
The sixth hole offers the option of a lay-up but McIlroy takes on the par four in one. It comes up short but he gets a good break with the lie and he carves out a birdie opportunity. It’s a downhill putt but he just sets it off too far to the right and has to settle for par.
Brooks, meanwhile, goes way left off the tee and it leads to yet another bogey. Matsuyama misses a good look at birdie and has to settle for a par.
Topsy-turvy start for Fitzpatrick23:37 , Ben Fleming
Smith E (7), Bennett -2 (7), Fitzpatrick +2 (7)
The defending champion made birdie on the sixth but a really poor shot out of the bunker the following hole leads to his third bogey of the day. Cam Smith also drops a shot and moves back to even par.
The hole belongs to Sam Bennett, though, who makes his second birdie in three holes to move up to two under par.
Mickelson drops back23:27 , Ben Fleming
Mickelson -1 (8*), Harrington -1 (8*), Bradley +3 (8*)
Mickelson is in trouble off the tee and can’t make his length par save to remain at one under. Harrington leaves his birdie effort short while Keegan Bradley makes another bogey - that’s not the start he would have wanted to the tournament.
Another birdie for McIlroy23:23 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -3 (5), Koepka +2 (5), Matsuyama E (5)
This is fast becoming one of Rory’s best starts in recent major championship history. He’s shown the line somewhat from Brooks and pours one in down the hill to move into a tie for third at three under.
Matsuyama makes a good par save, as does Brooks, and the pair star at even and two over respectively.
Another hole in one23:18 , Ben Fleming
Burns -2 (6*), Johnson -2 (6*), Mithcell -2 (6*)
The 15th has already produced a hole-in-one early today courtesy of Matthew Pavon and we have another in the afternoon wave. Sam Burns is the man as he launches his club into the air in celebration. The five-time PGA Tour winner moves to two under. He’s joined there by his playing partner Dustin Johnson who makes his second birdie in as many holes.
23:15 , Ben Fleming
Mickelson -2 (7*), Harrington -1 (7*), Bradley +2 (7*)
Phil continues to plug away well as he nears the end of his first nine. Harrington has also started well as he makes par to stay at one under. Bradley can’t follow suit and makes bogey to move back to two over par.
Hardy and Clark up into third23:05 , Ben Fleming
Hardy -3 (9*), Clark -3 (6)
More birdies forthcoming for these two - Hardy, in particular, does so in fantastic style with a monster putt from just under 60 feet.
Still plenty of birdies on offer in LACC this afternoon.
Another bogey for Brooks23:04 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -2 (4), Koepka +2 (4), Matsuyama E (4)
Far from the start that the two-time US Open champion had in mind. He finds the right bunker off the tee but can’t manage to get up and down to save his par. Very early days but he’s now ten shots back off the lead as things stand.
McIlroy and Matsuyama’s tee shots end up short and left but both do well to get down in two from about 60 feet to make par.
Solid start from Smith23:00 , Ben Fleming
Smith-1 (5), Bennett -1 (5), Fitzpatrick +2 (5)
A very solid start from the Open champion Cam Smith as he just misses out on a look for birdie at the fifth. He remains at one under and is joined there by Sam Bennett who makes his second birdie of the day. Fitzpatrick has steadied the ship somewhat with a third successive par.
Matsuyama bounces back at the third22:45 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -2 (3), Koepka +1 (3), Matsuyama E (3)
McIlroy has another good look at birdie on the third but he gives it too much and it’s hit through the break and misses high on the right.
Koepka lags his putt up from distance to make par but it’s Hideki who makes ground at the third. He’s partially shown the line from Rory’s putt and the 2021 Masters champion makes no mistake to get back to even par.
Plenty of early movers this afternoon22:39 , Ben Fleming
Hardy -2 (7*), Harman -2 (3), Mitchell -2 (4*)
The wind should pick up ever so slightly this afternoon which should make scoring a bit more difficult for those on the course now. Having said that there are still plenty of birdies out there and the American trio of Nick Hardy, Brian Harman and Keith Mitchell are showcasing just that.
All three sit in a tie for seventh at two under through after their opening few holes.
Classy recovery from Mickelson22:35 , Ben Fleming
Mickelson -2 (5*)
The most Phil Mickelson of pars on the par-five 14th. He’s in trouble down the left and can only hack his second further down the rough.
He eventually gets out before flying his fourth-shot approach from over 100 yards to just over 2 feet and makes par. Nice and easy.
Back-to-back birdies for Rory22:31 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -2 (2), Koepka +1 (2), Matsuyama +1 (2)
Now this is how you start your first round at a major championship! A lovely right-to-left putt nestles in the hole from just over 12 feet and McIlroy has two birdies in as many holes. The perfect start.
Koepka hits a solid iron into the tee that flies over the hole but his birdie effort just drifts by. Matsuyama makes his par as well to remain at one over.
22:23 , Ben Fleming
Smith-1 (2), Bennett E (2), Fitzpatrick +2 (2)
From bad to worse for the defending champion. Plenty of time to recover but a second successive bogey to start the day is far from ideal.
Sam Bennett - who has turned professional since his great run at the Masters in April - also makes bogey to drop back to level par. Cam Smith makes his par to remain at one under.
Opening-hole birdie for McIlroy22:16 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -1 (1), Koepka +1 (1), Matsuyama +1 (1)
Just the start Rory would have been after. The Northern Irishman stripps one down the middle of the fairway and is on the green in two. His birdie putt threatens the hole but leaves him with work to do but he makes no mistake.
The same can’t be said for Koepka and Matsuyama who both find the left bunker off the tee. Brooks three puts while Hideki can’t get up and down from the greenside rough. A pair of bogeys for them.
Bogey at the last for Barjon22:09 , Ben Fleming
Barjon -3 (67)
Solo third isn’t to be for the Frenchman as he’s unable to save par on his last hole after his tee shot came up well short. Still, a fantastic opening round from him here at LACC.
Fast start for Mickelson22:08 , Ben Fleming
Mickelson -2 (4*)
It’s the one major that has evaded the great Phil Mickelson - could a course like LACC that demands plenty of shotmaking and creativity provide another opportunity for the LIV golfer?
Well, he’s definitely started well with back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 and two under thru four holes.
Barjon up into third21:58 , Ben Fleming
Barjon -4 (17*)
Scheffler and DeChambeau, step aside because the Frenchman’s in town! Paul Barjon makes no mistake on the par-five eighth to move into solo third.
Less than ideal start for Fitzpatrick21:55 , Ben Fleming
Fitzpatrick +1 (1)
Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick is underway in the first round but he’s not off and running how he would have hoped. He’s in the bunker off the tee and a three-putt on the first green means it’s an opening-hole bogey on the par-five first.
Work to do for the Englishman.
McIlroy and Koepka underway shortly21:53 , Ben Fleming
This late wave is certainly going to have to produce something quite special to match what we have just seen this morning in Los Angeles.
The group to watch is no doubt the trio of Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Hideki Matsuyama who tee off very shortly.
Si Woo Kim in contention21:50 , Ben Fleming
SW Kim -3 (67)
With all that going on with Fowler and Schauffle, a few performances have snuck under the radar. One of those is South Korea’s Si Woo Kim who sits in a tie for third after a consummate round of 67.
21:43 , Ben Fleming
Rahm -1 (69), Schauffele -8 (62), Hovland -1 (69)
You wait 123 years for a 62 in the US Open and now we have two in the space of twenty minutes - remarkable!!
It’s a tentative effort from Xander down the slope on the par-three ninth but he knocks it in for par to complete a record-equalling round of 62. Like Fowler, he’s chasing his first major championship and he couldn’t have hoped for a better start to this year’s tournament.
Hovland and Rahm both sign off with pars to finish at one under - very tidy rounds from the pair of them.
Eagle for Clark21:34 , Ben Fleming
Clark -2 (1)
Wyndham Clark has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the PGA Tour with his first victory at the Wells Fargo Championship and he’s off to a flyer her with an eagle putt from just over 30 feet.
Bogey at the last for Scheffler21:32 , Ben Fleming
Homa -2 (68), Scheffler -3 (67), Morikawa +1 (71)
Scheffler’s putting woes come back to bite him as a three-putt at the last moves him back to three under par to end his round. Still, a hugely positive start to the tournament for the world number two as he chases his second major championship.
Homa knocks in for his par - he’s well-positioned too at two under - while Morikawa is by no means out of it at one over par.
Schauffele ties the lead21:28 , Ben Fleming
Rahm -1 (17*), Schauffele -8 (17*), Hovland -1 (17*)
Well, well, well...Rickie Fowler set the US Open record a matter of minutes ago and Xander Schauffele has already tied him at the top.
He gets up and down from around the green on the par-five eight to make yet another birdie and he now has a chance to get to nine under and set the lowest score in men’s major championship history.
Both Rahm and Hovland move into the red with birdies as well.
US Open history for Rickie Fowler21:18 , Ben Fleming
Fowler -8 (62)
What a moment for Rickie Fowler. It’s a great lag putt to close range on his final hole and the American knocks it in for par to finish at eight under and that is the lowest round in US Open history.
The world number 45 was in the wilderness for many years with his golf game but he’s had a fantastic year on the PGA Tour so far and now sits atop the leaderboard in California after ten birdies in his record-breaking opening round.
Take a bow!
21:13 , Ben Fleming
Rahm E (16*), Schauffele -7 (16*), Hovland E (16*)
Rickie might be stealing the headlines but Xander Schauffele is carving out an equally-impressive round of golf. A super tee shot into the par-three 16th leaves him just under six feet for birdie which he makes.
He’s got the par-five eighth coming up - could he also get to the record-breaking eight-under score?
Rahm and Hovland make par as the European pair remain at even.
Birdie chance goes by for Scheffler21:10 , Ben Fleming
Homa -2 (17), Scheffler -4 (17), Morikawa +1 (17)
A good look at birdie for Scheffler on his penultimate hole...but it slides by on the left side. Homa and Morikawa also make par as the trio head up the last.
Another birdie for Fowler21:06 , Ben Fleming
Fowler -8 (17*)
What on earth is happening out there at LACC? Fowler was in an awful spot off the tee but he manages to get back in the fairway before draining his tenth birdie of the day to move to eight under.
Should he make par at the last, it will be the first 62 in US Open history.
A birdie would give him the first round of 61 in men’s major championship history...
Rahm cuts a frustrated figure21:00 , Ben Fleming
Rahm E (15*) , Schauffele -6 (15*), Hovland E (15*)
The Spaniard also snaps his club in anger off the tee when his ball appears to be heading right off the tee. It takes a healthy kick back into the fairway but he can’t make the medium-range birdie putt and you can see the frustration etched across his faith. Even par is by no means out of it, mind you.
Schauffle takes on the green in one but comes up short. A couple of hacks out of the rough and he’s able to make par - as does Hovland.
DeChambeau sets the clubhouse lead20:57 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -3 (67)
A really solid first round for the American who makes par at the last to round out his opening round. Thee under par and solo fourth as things stand for the 2020 champion.
Fowler in a world of trouble20:56 , Ben Fleming
Fowler -7 (16*)
Rickie goes way right off the tee on the eight and he’s down on the rocky surface past the rough. Thankfully for the leader, it’s a par five and he’s afforded the luxury of being able to hack out onto the fairway.
Back-to-back birdies for Scheffler20:50 , Ben Fleming
Homa -2 (16), Scheffler -4 (16), Morikawa +1 (16)
From tee to green, Scheffler has been far and away the best player on the PGA Tour these last few months but the world number two has struggled to make it count on the greens.
It’s early days but another birdie on 16 moves him up into solo third at four under.
Homa misses his long-range birdie effort with Morikawa also making par.
DeChambeau up into second20:46 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -3 (17*)
The 2020 US Open champion has enjoyed a good return to form after his T4 finish at the US PGA Championship last month.
His eagle effort on the eighth just misses but he knocks it in for a birdie to move into second at three under par.
Monster birdie putt for Schauffele20:42 , Ben Fleming
Rahm E (14*) , Schauffele -6 (14*), Hovland E (14*)
Xander certainly isn’t keen to let Rickie run away with the lead and drains a 60-foot putt from off the green to move one shot back on six under.
Rahm’s birdie effort just misses on the right side while Hovland makes back-to-back bogeys to drop back to even par.
Another birdie for Fowler20:34 , Ben Fleming
Fowler -7 (15*)
Rickie moves to seven under! He has just a 50-yard wedge into the sixth and uses the slop to bring it back to the hole. From there, the American converts for his ninth (!!) birdie of the day and he leads by two.
Homa and Scheffler ticking along nicely20:29 , Ben Fleming
Homa -2 (15), Scheffler -3 (15), Morikawa +1 (15)
Max Homa knows his way around the course - he holds the course record after all - and the LA native is making a very solid start to this tournament.
He curls in a beautiful downhill effort from over 30 feet to make birdie at the par-three 15th and move to two under.
Scheffler also converts and he’s up to three under. Morikawa makes par to remain at one over.
Bogey for Hovland20:21 , Ben Fleming
Rahm E (13*) , Schauffele -5 (13*), Hovland -1 (13*)
Three steps forward, one step back for Hovland. An eagle and a birdie are followed by a bogey after the Norwegian gets into trouble off the tee on the par-three fourth. He moves back to one under.
Rahm and Schauffele have work to do to save par but make no mistake.
Comfortable par for Fowler20:17 , Ben Fleming
Fowler - 6 (14*), Woodland -2 (15)
Fowler’s long-range birdie effort slides on by but it’s a comfortable tap-in for a par. He remains at six under.
On the back nine, Woodland converts a right-to-left putt to make his second successive birdie. He’s now up into a tie for third.
Birdie for Hovland20:13 , Ben Fleming
Rahm E (12*) , Schauffele -4 (12*), Hovland -2 (12*)
A double bogey on the par-five 14th wasn’t the best start to the opening round for Hovland but he’s battled back well since then. A hole out from the fairway for eagle came at the second and he’s now followed that up with a birdie on the third. He’s up to two under.
Rahm and Schauffele make par.
Woodland into the top ten20:07 , Ben Fleming
Woodland -1 (14)
Gary Woodland was not a name on many people’s lips heading into this week but he knows how to get it done at this tournament.
The 2019 US Open champion knocks one in at 14 to move into the red and a tie for tenth.
US Open 202319:56 , Mike Jones
Consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17 for Ryan Gerard sees him drop to one-under but he stops the rot with a par on the last to end his opening round in the red.
He’s been hovering near the top of the leaderboard for most of the day and will be well placed for tomorrow’s round.
19:52 , Mike Jones
A rare mistake off the tee on the fourth from Rickie Fowler sees him push one into the bunker off the right side of the green. He’s got a decent lie and flicks it onto the dancefloor getting the crowd very excited as the ball finishes an inch or so short of the hole.
He taps in for par with a rueful smile on his face.
US Open 202319:48 , Mike Jones
Xander Schauffele is closing in on Rickie Fowler. He gets a 16 footer to drop on the first to move to within two of the lead before following it up with another birdie on the second.
His next hole is the third which is playing as the easiest hole on the course today.
US Open 202319:45 , Mike Jones
Hole in one alert! France’s Matthieu Pavon attacks the par-3 15th and gets the perfect reward. Check out his ace right here:
US Open 202319:39 , Mike Jones
Viktor Hovland moves into the red with an eagle on 11! He chips in from the fairway to pick up two shots and move within five shots of the lead at -1.
Five shots? That’s right, because Rickie Fowler has rolled another in on the third (his 12th) to move six under for the day.
US Open 202319:33 , Mike Jones
Consecutive bogeys for Jacob Solomon and he drops back to two-under. Meanwhile Scottie Scheffler is edging closer to the leader with a fine birdie on the 12th.
US Open 202319:24 , Mike Jones
Five for Rickie!
A simple tap-in takes his lead to two shots with the easy third hole still to play. He could finish the day six or seven under par at this rate.
He’s recorded seven birdies in 11 holes.
US Open 202319:21 , Mike Jones
Mac Meissner misses the chance to move within one shot of the lead as he slides a birdie putt on nine past the right side of the hole. The greens today have been rapid and a slight misread in pace can leave players in serious trouble.
Meissner’s pace was decent though and he walks away with par.
US Open 202319:16 , Mike Jones
Rickie Fowler is about to move to five under par. His approach shot on the second (his 11th hole) is superb. It kisses the edge of the green, skips onto the dancefloor and finishes a couple of feet from the hole to set up birdie.
Fowler is rocketing now. He’s in full flow and looks confident.
US Open 202319:13 , Mike Jones
Scottie Scheffler has largely been forgotten about after a difficult start to his round. He was one over after eight holes but back-to-back birdies sees him move into the red.
If he can get a run going then there’ll be a few nervous faces at the top of the leaderboard.
US Open 202319:09 , Mike Jones
Rickie Fowler finds the left greenside bunker on the 1st hole but has a nice lie and flicks it close to the hole to set up a birdie chance. His putting has been good all day and he knocks another in to earn a share of the lead!
19:07 , Mike Jones
Justin Rose has had a shocker on the 18th making a double bogey to compound a tough round into an awful one. He’s now five over par for the day but has time to recover.
Unfortunately his second shot on the 1st flirts with the front of the green but doesn’t quite catch and rolls back down the hill leaving him with a 45 yard chip to set up a birdie opportunity.
US Open 202318:58 , Mike Jones
Jacob Solomon reaches four-under!
The 26-year-old American moves into the solo lead with a wonderful birdie on 15. He’s got three holes left in his round today and won’t be too far away from the top of the leaderboard should he avoid any bogeys.
US Open 202318:55 , Mike Jones
Jon Rahm has been zig-zagging across the course in this round and bombing shots out of the rough trying to rescue himself. A nice recovery to the 17th green gets him a chance to save par but he just slides one by the left edge and that’s a shot gone.
Max Homa hoping for ‘carnage’ and a ‘typical’ US Open challenge18:51 , Mike Jones
Max Homa is hoping for “carnage” in the 123rd US Open to ensure his course record remains firmly intact.
Homa shot a stunning nine-under-par 61 at Los Angeles Country Club on his way to winning the prestigious Pac-12 title in 2013, a tournament which also featured two-time major winner Jon Rahm.
To no-one’s surprise, Rahm predicted on Tuesday that typical US Open conditions would ensure there would be no repeat of Homa’s heroics this week, with Branden Grace’s men’s major record of 62 also looking safe.
Max Homa hoping for ‘carnage’ and a ‘typical’ US Open challenge
US Open 202318:44 , Mike Jones
Rickie Fowler makes it look easy. He rolls home his birdie putt on the 18th green (his ninth hole) and moves to three-under after the first half of his round.
Over on the front nine Max Homa is making moves. A birdie on eight takes him to -2 before he slides another birdie putt past the right edge on the ninth.
US Open 202318:42 , Mike Jones
(EPA)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
US Open 202318:35 , Mike Jones
Rickie Fowler is back in the game with a birdie chance on nine. His approach is solid and a helpful bounce skips the ball over to the right side of the pin leaving him with a makeable but difficult putt.
US Open 202318:32 , Mike Jones
Oh hello, Paul Barjon is quietly going about his business.
He rolls in a third consecutive birdie on the 15th to take a share of the lead and is quickly joined by Gunn Charoenkul who gets a 8 or 9 footer to drop.
There are five players at three under now.
US Open 202318:23 , Mike Jones
Rickie Fowler’s time at the top of the leaderboard doesn’t last very long. He swiftly follows up his birdie on 16 with a bogey on the par-four 17th.
He leaves his approach short of the green and can’t convert from 21 feet for par.
US Open 202318:15 , Mike Jones
Jon Rahm gets his round back on track by sliding in a 20-footer for birdie on the short 15th to move back under par. There’s also joy for his playing partner Viktor Hovland who drains his birdie putt to move just two over par.
They’re both playing alongside one of the leaders in Xander Schauffele who is making it look easy out there.
He’s in his seventh US Open with no missed cuts and six top-15 finishes.
US Open 202318:04 , Mike Jones
Rickie Fowler makes birdie on the seventh! He rolls in a 12 footer, dead straight, to get himself a share of the lead at three under for the day.
Omar Morales, the Mexican amateur, slips back to one-under with another bogey on the back nine.
Scottie Scheffler considers putter change to solve problems ahead of US Open18:00 , Mike Jones
Changing a key piece of equipment at a major championship, when your worst result of the year is a tie for 12th, would usually seem like madness.
Yet that is the situation in which world number one Scottie Scheffler finds himself at the US Open as he seeks a solution to the putting problems which have plagued his most recent performances.
As well as winning the prestigious Players Championship and defending his title in the WM Phoenix Open in 2023, Scheffler has finished runner-up in the US PGA Championship and third in the Memorial Tournament, despite struggling badly on the greens.
Scottie Scheffler considers putter change to solve problems ahead of US Open
US Open 202317:53 , Mike Jones
It should be a worrying sign for the rest of the field that Xander Schauffele is playing this well.
The par-five 14th is 628 yards today and the American almost reaches it in two before his ball rolls off the right edge. A perfect chip shot leaves him with a couple of feet for birdie and Schauffele knocks it in for a share of the lead.
US Open 202317:48 , Mike Jones
Dylan Wu closes out his front nine with a par to remain at three-under for the day. He’s gone out in 32 and a good back nine will see him in a fine position ahead of the second round.
US Open 202317:44 , Mike Jones
Omar Morales drops at shot on the 11th and slips back into the chasing pack. It’s the first bogey of his round and he’ll need to shake it off quickly to keep himself on course for a superb opening day.
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US Open 202317:37 , Mike Jones
Rickie Fowler is starting to hit his stride too. A third birdie in five holes sees his impressive start continue as he strides off the 14th green.
He’s within one of the lead.
US Open 202317:33 , Mike Jones
Jon Rahm finds the edge of the green on 13 after two shots. He’s got a long putt to the hole with a slight downhill roll and rattles his birdie effort.
As soon as the ball comes off the club Rahm knows he messed up and the ball flies 10-12 feet past the hole.
Jon Rahm looking forward to US Open test that has ‘everything’17:30 , Mike Jones
Former champion Jon Rahm expects a combination of “fun and kicks in the teeth” as the Los Angeles Country Club prepares to host the 123rd US Open.
Rahm experienced the North Course in a prestigious college event 10 years ago, when world number seven Max Homa set the course record of 61, but most of the field have never tackled it before this week.
The restored 7,423-yard, par-70 layout on Wilshire Boulevard includes a 623-yard par five and two of its five par threes measure almost 300 yards, while even the par-three 15th – which can play as short as 80 yards – poses its own challenges.
Jon Rahm looking forward to US Open test that has ‘everything’
US Open 202317:23 , Mike Jones
Jon Rahm has dropped back. He had a putt to hold par on the 12th (his third hole) and trickled a slow shot down the hill. It holds out to the right and dribbles past.
Just behind him on the 10th hole Jacob Solomon picks up a share of the lead with a fine birdie. It’s two in a row for him now and he looks back to his best.
US Open 202317:17 , Mike Jones
Tyrell Hatton’s having a tricky day out there. He’s found himself in some shocking positions but has been fighting well to avoid plummeting down the leaderboard.
A wayward tee shot on the 13th flies off into the right rough and despite a nice recovery his putt to save par slides by.
US Open 202317:13 , Mike Jones
Movement on the leaderboard!
Jacob Solomon gets back the shot he gave up on the eighth to move within one of the lead. Kevin Streelman is also at two-under with Xander Schauffele alos joining this chasing pack.
Dylan Wu’s impressive start takes a hit with his first bogey and leaves Omar Morales as the outright leader.
US Open 202317:07 , Mike Jones
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(AP)
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US Open 202316:59 , Mike Jones
Three birdies and three pars thru the first six holes for Dylan Wu sees him join Omar Morales at the top of the leaderboard. He’s got a simple technique when it comes to putting.
Line up, step into position then rock the shoulders back and forth with a slight bodily swivel. It’s working this afternoon for the 26-year-old.
US Open 202316:56 , Mike Jones
Rahm needs a pair of binoculars to locate the hole on the 11th green as he eyes up a consecutive birdie. He’s miles away from the cup but finds the right pace and leaves it within a foot to tidy up for a par.
Schauffele also knocks in for a three.
US Open 202316:54 , Mike Jones
Omar Morales has the solo lead!
The amateur continues to blaze his way into the US Open with an eagle putt on the eighth hole. He starts his putt slightly too straight and pulls the ball underneath the hole which elicits excited sighs of frustration from the onlooking crowd.
It’s a tap in for birdie though and Morales is now down at three-under par.
(Getty Images)
US Open 202316:52 , Mike Jones
Jon Rahm is safely on the green off the tee on 11. He’s got a lengthy putt to come but the Masters champion is getting his round off to an impressive start.
Xander Schauffele also looks to be safely on the green.
US Open 202316:50 , Mike Jones
Do you fancy a look at the best shot of the day so far?
It came from Michael Brennan who was over to the back side of the third green, lining up a chip for birdie. Here’s a look at how he played the shot:
Golf’s shock merger could face multiple legal challenges16:47 , Mike Jones
Golf’s controversial new partnership is in for an “uncomfortable ride” and may face lengthy and costly legal challenges in multiple jurisdictions, a competition lawyer has said.
The PGA Tour announced last week it was creating a new commercial entity with the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), a move it said would “unify golf” and which brought an end to a legal dispute between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, a series backed by PIF.
Concerns have already been raised about whether the new deal may fall foul of competition law. The United States Senate has already opened an investigation into it, with Senator Richard Blumenthal writing to PGA Tour chief executive Jay Monahan to say that the PGA Tour’s “sudden and drastic reversal of position concerning LIV Golf” raised “serious questions”.
Golf’s shock merger could face multiple legal challenges – Competition lawyer
US Open 202316:43 , Mike Jones
Over on the fifth hole, Dylan Wu looks to improve on his early momentum and take the outright lead.
He’s got a birdie putt from around 20 feet or so. The pace is decent but the ball rolls past the right edge and leaves him with a par.
US Open 202316:40 , Mike Jones
There’s more early joy for the Europeans as Francesco Molinari and Shane Lowry both record early birdies to move into the red after three holes.
As the Ryder Cup approaches in September, there’ll be a few players out there wanting to impress and improve their chances of making it into the competition.
US Open 202316:37 , Mike Jones
What a putt! Xander Schauffele has a downhill putt for birdie on the 10th green (his first hole). There’s some slight left-to-right movement as he dinks it down the slope but the ball holds it’s line and rolls quite a long way before dropping into the cup.
He joins the many players in the red at one-under.
Can Jon Rahm join him there? Yes, he can!
A fantastic recovery shot from the left side rough leaves the Spaniard with a straight birdie chance about 10ft away and he calmly rolls it home.
US Open 202316:30 , Mike Jones
Jon Rahm gets his US Open off to a rocky start with his opening tee shot on the 10th shouting to the crowd over to the left side of the fairway as his ball careens into the rough.
He’s playing alongside Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland this afternoon.
US Open 202316:25 , Mike Jones
Mexican amateur, Omar Morales, leads the way in these early stages and is two-under par thru six holes. Joining him at the top of the leaderboard are American’s Jacob Solomon and Dylan Wu.
US Open 202316:21 , Mike Jones
Play is already underway in California with one of the favourites to win the tournament, Scottie Scheffler, out on the course.
Jon Rahm is readying to tee off in a few minutes’ time before the big names of Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka get their rounds going later this evening.
US Open 202316:19 , Mike Jones
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the 2023 US Open.
Brooks Koepka is among the favourites to back up his victory in the US PGA Championship but will face stern competition from the likes of world no.1 Scottie Scheffler and Masters champion Jon Rahm.
Rory McIlroy cannot be discounted either while Matt Fitzpatrick will be hoping to produce his best golf as he bids to defend his US Open title.
