Golf
Stensen and Johnson on fire at Chambers Bay─── 10:22 Fri, 19 Jun 2015
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and the USA’s Dustin Johnson lead the field after the opening round of the 115th US Open being played at Chambers Bay, University Place.
The pair each fired a round of five under par 65 to take the early lead at the difficult links layout which humbled many big names.
Johnson could have claimed the outright lead on six under par had he not bogeyed his final hole of the day.
Stenson feels that tee-box and pin placements over the next three days will make life a lot more difficult on the course.
“It was good day, I was striking it really nicely which led to a lot of birdies opportunities for me and 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.
“Looking forward I’ve just got to do more of the same as what I did today and certainly if we keep on posting some red numbers I’m sure we’re going to see some of those tee-boxes move back and potentially some tricky pins was we move along throughout the weekend.
Johnson in his turn said he was happy with his round and just enjoys playing his golf at Chambers Bay.
“I’m very pleased with my round today, I thought I played solid all day.
“I thought the setup was great, they had some really tough flags and they had some pins that you could get close to, so I though they did a good job with the setup for sure.
“I like using my imagination in shots it’s always fun playing courses that are different than what you play every day.
“I just enjoy playing here are playing over at the British, I think is just golf that I really like to play.
Meanwhile fourteen-time major champion and former world number one, Tiger Woods fired his worst ever round at the Open with a 10 over par 80.
Woods card one bogey after another and it’s the third time this year he hasn’t been able to break 80 at a tournament.
His compatriot Rickie Folwer who finished in tied second last year played alongside him and actually managed to go one shot worse with an 11 over par 81, while the third member of their grouping, Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa carded 7 over par 77.
Branden Grace is the leading South African in the field on one under par 69 which sees him in tied 14th.
Morgan Piek / OFM News
