US Open victor Dustin Johnson shot a 1-under 69 in his first competitive round since breaking his major duck at Oakmont, while world number 2 Jordan Spieth closed with four consecutive birdies – after looking very out of sorts on two-over par midway through his day – to end 2-under par overall.
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McGirt is spending his time well in Ohio.
William McGirt and Tiger Woods don’t have much in common when it comes to golf résumés.
He had some decent company behind him after an opening round of warm sunshine and fast conditions at Firestone.
Jason Day, the world’s No. 1 player, was among three players at 67, while Jordan Spieth managed to post a 68 despite having only one birdie attempt (he missed) in his first 10 holes.
“It was just kind of a weird feeling today where I kind of made some good pars, kept the momentum going, and all of a sudden I shot 67”. World No. 2 Jordan Spieth is a shot back at two-under, while US Open victor Dustin Johnson began with a one-under 69. That’s when a radio reporter informed him that his alma mater, Coastal Carolina, had won the College World Series for its first national title.
“I didn’t get a whole lot of practice last week, but I’m pretty pleased with it”, Johnson said. “I always expect to play well, but this golf course is playing tough”.
The Australian, who played alongside compatriot Adam Scott, completed his day’s work with a superb seven-iron close to the flag at the long par-three 15th hole, made a hard two-metre par-saver at the 16th and then parred his way in for a 67.
1 player in the world, was among those at 67.
Daniel Berger hit one tee shot and withdrew with a sore shoulder. Brooks Koepka withdrew after 13 holes with an ankle injury. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love, playing at Firestone for the first time since 2009, withdrew after a 78 because of what was described as a torn labrum.
European – In the midst of drastic changes to his swing, Rory McIlroy shot an even-par 71 at the French Open in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines to lie five shots off the lead held by Lucas Bjerregaard after the first round.
Meanwhile in the Barracuda Championship, Greg Chalmers is close to the lead after a nice opening round in the modified stableford US PGA Tour event. One shot hit a tree and bounced forward over the water into a bunker. He already was 2 over for the round when he holed a 20-foot par putt on the eighth, and then a 25-foot par putt on the ninth. The 18-year-old Canadian hit 16 greens and made nine birdies at the Columbia Edgewater course.
However, defending champion Shane Lowry – coming off his best finish at a major – struggled in the first round. Stanford lost in a playoff in the 2003 U.S. Women’s Open at Pumpkin Ridge, which has previously played host to the Portland Classic. “It was just one of those rounds where everything was a ideal number, flawless club”.
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RENO, Nev. (AP) – Martin Laird of Scotland made eight birdies to lead the Barracuda Championship with more than just a PGA Tour victory on the line.
