US Open: Luke Donald Looking for First English Win Since 1970

US Open: Luke Donald Looking for First English Win Since 1970
It was a rough and very wet start to the 113th U.S. Open in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.  Severe weather forced a 3.5 hour delay early in the day and a smaller downpour held up the round for 45 minutes in the afternoon.

As darkness fell play was suspended, meaning many of the golfers will be finishing first thing Friday morning before continuing with Round 2.

Phil Mickelson took an early lead with a nice-looking 67, his lowest first-round score in 23 U.S. Opens.

Having just made it back in time after attending his daughter’s eighth grade graduation in San Diego, Mickelson looked determined and focused despite his journey and the weather delays.

“I was able to take the time on the plane to read my notes, study, relive the golf course, go through how I was going to play each hole, where the pins were, where I want to miss it, where I want to be, study the green charts.  It gave me a great few hours to study my notes and get mentally prepared.”   

But it wasn’t enough to stop Englishman Luke Donald from gaining a one-stroke advantage just before play was called off for the day.
“The weather conditions are making the course a lot softer, and you can attack the pins a little bit more,” said the Hemel Hempstead native.

If Donald can pull off a win at Merion, he will be England’s first U.S. Open winner in over forty years.  Tony Jacklin previously won the tournament in 1970.

“I've got five holes left and five pretty tough ones to finish, but really happy with the way I started my round.”

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