Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele both made history at the US Open on Thursday as they equalled the best-ever rounds in the history of major tournaments.
Ahead of the competition at the Los Angeles Golf Club, only Branden Grace at the 2017 Open had shot a 62 in one of the four prestigious events, yet he is now joined on that feat by Fowler and Schauffele.
While the course in California could not be described as easy - only 37 of 156 players finished under par - there were plenty of opportunities if you found fairways and hit the right spots on the quirky greens at LACC.
Fowler and Schauffele did just that, the former hitting 10 birdies and two bogeys during an eventual round to initially take the clubhouse lead.
A record-breaking day @USOpenGolf 🤯 pic.twitter.com/oP2nj3Po5z
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 16, 2023
However, his American compatriot was able to produce a clean card featuring eight birdies, giving them a two-shot lead over Wyndham Clark and Dustin Johnson.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, who has faced plenty of scrutiny of late, sits in a share of fifth after a round of 65 only ruined by a bogey on 18, holing a nerveless putt having initially duffed a shot out of the greenside rough.
World number one Scottie Scheffler and Bryson Dechambeau are well-positioned a shot further adrift, while Masters champion Jon Rahm carded an opening 69 to sit in a tie for 25th spot.
Having bogeyed three of his opening six holes, US PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka will be satisfied with a one-over-par 71 that at least keeps him in contention ahead of Friday.
Scoring is expected to be made tougher for the second round, the tournament organisers keen to keep as many players as possible from reaching 10-under and beyond before the halfway stage.
Darren Plant
