U.S. Open First Round = Frustration and Highest Scoring Average in 25 Years

A major golf tournament isn’t supposed to be easy but the pros teeing off yesterday at Shinnecock Hills might argue it shouldn’t be this hard.  The 118th U.S. Open started yesterday in South Hampton, New York and produced the highest opening scoring average for the major in 25 years!


Bumpy greens and high winds made the par-70 course a true challenge on Thursday as some of golf’s biggest names struggled throughout the day. Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods both carded disappointing 78s, whilst Jason Day finished at 79 and Rory McIlroy at 80.



Only four players managed to finish under par on Thursday. World number one Dustin Johnson, England’s Ian Poulter, Russell Henley and Scott Piercy all carded a one-under 69 to share the lead going into today.


“Anything under par on this golf course is very good,” Johnson told reporters after his round.

Charles Howell III explained that Shinnecock, “takes every mistake you make, and just makes it all worse.” Adding, “And with these corner hole locations, just off of crowns, it’s really difficult to get the ball close. So you find yourself playing defensive golf quite a lot.”

English golfer Scott Gregory managed make headlines yesterday as he became the first player in 16 years to shoot in the 90s. Not exactly the opening round the 23-year-old was hoping for.


Here’s hoping the wind dies down for today but we’re loving this guy’s prediction:

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