On Thursday, Oakmont Country Club showcased its notorious challenge as the world’s top golfers struggled, with more players scoring in the 80s than under par. Despite both halves of the draw yielding five rounds below par, the later tee times outperformed their morning counterparts, achieving a collective scoring average of 74.2, nearly a full stroke lower. Let’s delve into the standout performances and key statistics from Round 1 of the 125th U.S. Open.
J.J. Spaun delivered the best round of his major championship career, carding a remarkable bogey-free 66. This score ties for the lowest first-round score in U.S. Open history at Oakmont, matching Andrew Landry’s performance in the rain-delayed 2016 opening round. Spaun, who has struggled with putting in previous majors, excelled on the greens, gaining +4.19 strokes, the second-best in the field. This remarkable achievement marks Spaun's first time in the top 10 after any major championship round, as he seeks to surpass his best major finish of 23rd at the 2022 Masters.
South African Thriston Lawrence made a significant impact with six birdies, the most in the field. Despite a challenging season where he has made the cut in only three of his 14 worldwide starts, Lawrence gained over four strokes tee-to-green and ranked among the top five in strokes gained putting. With nearly 50 feet more putts holed than the field average, his performance at Oakmont reflects his potential as he looks to turn his season around.
Brooks Koepka, a dominant figure in major championships, made a strong showing with a round of 68, marking a return to form after a 12-round streak without a score in the 60s. Closing with birdie-birdie, Koepka demonstrated his resilience, making only two bogeys on a day when the field averaged 4.93. This round ties him for the fifth-most in U.S. Open history at 68 or better, showcasing his legacy in the championship.
Si Woo Kim, who recently achieved his first top-10 finish in a major, also opened with a score of 68. His exceptional iron play allowed him to hit 14 greens in regulation, gaining a field-best 5.1 strokes on approach shots. This performance is one of just seven in the last four years where a player gained five or more strokes with their approach play. Sungjae Im matched Kim’s score but took a different route, ranking in the top five for strokes gained off-the-tee and around the green.
Entering the week as a strong favorite with three recent wins, Scottie Scheffler struggled at Oakmont, finishing with a score of 73, his highest opening round in eight U.S. Open appearances. With six bogeys, Scheffler faced challenges that reflect the course's demanding nature. Historically, no player has overcome a seven-shot deficit after Round 1 to win the U.S. Open since 1998.
Jon Rahm delivered another solid performance, shooting a 69 for the fifth consecutive U.S. Open. His driving accuracy and distance put him in the top five for strokes gained off the tee, while his 14 greens in regulation showcased his skill. Tied for sixth, Rahm is only three shots behind the leader, maintaining a strong position as he aims for another major title.
Rory McIlroy began strong, making birdies on two of his first three holes, but faltered on the back nine, finishing with a score of 74. This is his highest opening round score at the U.S. Open since 2018. Despite recent successes, McIlroy's approach play faltered, ranking among the bottom five in proximity to the hole.
On the fourth hole, Patrick Reed made headlines by scoring an albatross on a 286-yard approach shot, marking just the fourth albatross in U.S. Open history. However, Reed's round concluded with a triple bogey on the last hole, finishing at 73. The scoring average for the field was 74.63, higher than the previous U.S. Open in 2016 but less daunting than in 2007.
Several prominent players posted even-par rounds of 70, including Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth. Scott's round featured five birdies, while Spieth matched him with five birdies and five bogeys, marking his lowest opening round at the U.S. Open since his victory in 2015. Collin Morikawa also joined them at even par, gaining over seven strokes tee-to-green but struggling with his putting.
Historically, 23 of the last 26 U.S. Open champions have been within four strokes of the lead entering the second round. Notably, slow starters can still succeed at Oakmont, as seen with Larry Nelson in 1983 and John Mahaffey in 1978. As the tournament progresses, the average first-round deficit of U.S. Open winners over the last fifty years is 2.9 strokes, with the largest comeback being nine shots by Jack Fleck in 1955.
