The anticipation surrounding the 2022 US Open is palpable, with the defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick making an impressive start by sinking a remarkable 30-foot birdie on the first hole. His confident walk towards the hole exemplified his readiness to defend his title. In contrast, Tommy Fleetwood faced challenges early on, encountering a penalty drop for the second time in just two holes, leaving him at +2 after a rocky start.
Rory McIlroy, a recent member of the career-slam club, is attempting to find his footing. Despite struggling with his driver, he managed to keep his game steady by opting for iron off the tee. McIlroy launched his opening shot down the middle of the 10th hole and followed up with an approach shot landing just 12 feet from the pin. However, his chance for an opening birdie slipped away as he misjudged the right-to-left slider, resulting in a par. This fate was shared by his fellow competitors, Justin Rose and Shane Lowry, marking a challenging start for the trio of European stars.
In a thrilling turn of events, Ludvig Åberg, who previously led at his first US Open last year, is back in the spotlight. After starting with a birdie at the 10th, he deftly wedged from 140 yards to three feet at the 11th, securing another birdie. His strong performance places him at -2 early in the competition. Meanwhile, Maxwell Moldovan, who bogeyed the second hole, remains one of three players under par this morning, showcasing the competitive spirit of the tournament.
Last year’s champion, Bryson DeChambeau, experienced a rocky start as well. His opening tee shot veered towards the left but fortuitously landed on a pathway used by fans. Despite this lucky break, DeChambeau struggled with his second shot, which ended up off the green, leading to a messy opening bogey. His reaction was candid as he exclaimed “Misread!” after failing to hole his comeback putt, reflecting the pressure that accompanies defending a title at such a prestigious event.
Tommy Fleetwood, who narrowly missed out on the title in 2018 with a final round of 63, is determined to improve on his past performance. However, his journey began on a challenging note as he sent his tee shot at the first hole into a ditch on the left. After a penalty drop, Fleetwood managed to limit the damage to a bogey, leaving him at +1 as he looks to regain his momentum.
In a display of skill, Zac Blair achieved the first birdie of the week with a stunning 30-foot putt on the 10th hole. However, the highlight of the morning came from Maxwell Moldovan, who made history by scoring the first eagle of this 125th edition of the US Open on the first hole. His impressive shot from 189 yards landed on the green and rolled effortlessly into the hole, demonstrating the lightning-fast greens that are characteristic of this tournament.
The first double bogey of the tournament was recorded by Alistair Docherty, who struggled early on with his chip shot on the 10th hole, resulting in a quick move to +2. This moment serves as a reminder of the challenges that await all players, especially at a venue known for its difficult conditions.
As the 2022 US Open unfolds, players will face the daunting challenge of navigating the jungle rough and tricky greens at Oakmont. The historical context of this championship highlights the difficulty of the course, with previous winners often finishing over par. With the excitement building, fans are eager to see which players will rise to the occasion in this prestigious event.
Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses, showcasing the talent and determination of the world's best golfers.
