US OPEN – 1ST ROUND REPORT

Russell Henley and Louis Oosthuizen lead the way at the 2021 US Open at Torrey Pines after fog delays resulted in a fifth of the field still being left to complete their first round.

A 90-minute delay to the start of play meant 36 players did not finish because of fading light, and will have to come back early today (Friday) to finish their rounds and hopefully start their second, although further fog is predicted at the clifftop California course.

Henley’s four-under par opening 66 was good enough for the clubhouse lead, while Oosthuizen is also on four under, but still has the 17th and 18th hole to play. Francesco Molinari and Rafa Cabrera Bello lead European hopes on three under par.

Two-time winner Brooks Koepka finished on two under,  while defending champion Bryson DeChambeau ended up on two over. Rory McIlroy rushed to finish, jogging up the last before rolling in a birdie, to card a one-under 70.

World No.3 Jon Rahm also completed his round just before darkness descended, parring the ninth to sign for a 69 and sit alongside Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and Americans Xander Schauffele and Hayden Buckley.

Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton and Richard Bland all finished their rounds on one under, while Lee Westwood and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre are one back after carding 71s.

US PGA champion Phil Mickelson, chasing a career grand slam, got off to a slow start and finished his opening round on four over and will have to go low over the next three rounds if he is to do one better than his six runner-up finishes in this event.

Play is scheduled to resume at 2.50pm UK time, although more morning fog is forecast on the Pacific coast.

For the full leaderboard, click here.

The post US OPEN – 1ST ROUND REPORT appeared first on Golf News.