Henrik Stenson had very few problems solving the Chambers Bay puzzle Thursday during the first round of the U.S. Open.
Ditto for the PGA Tour’s King of Distance — Dustin Johnson.
Stenson putted his way and Johnson drove his way to first round 65s and they were the leaders from the morning wave at the 115th playing of the U.S. Open.
Stenson was bolstered by birdies on four of his last five holes and he drained a 30 footer at the 18th for his 65. “A good day out there,” said the world’s fifth-ranked star. “I played as solid as I have all year. I rolled in some beauties over the last four or five holes.”
Johnson, who was sharp with the driver and the putter all day, ended on more of a down note with a bogey at his final hole of the day, the 200-yard par three ninth, where he missed the green and failed to get up-and-down for par. “I just hit the ball really well,” Johnson said afterward. “I had a lot of looks at birdie. I made a bad swing at nine, worst swing I made all day.”
Patrick Reed’s 31 on the back nine got him in at 66, a shot off the early leaders.
Matt Kuchar found himself just two shots back. His 67 was the fourth-best morning round.
