Louis Oosthuizen heads the South African challenge at the US Open after coming through an incomplete first round only two strokes off the lead, and with a new US Open record.
Oosthuizen opened with a round of three-under-par 67 at Winged Foot and is chasing the five-under-par lead of Justin Thomas following a day when the famed golf course appeared in a particularly benign mood. The round had to be suspended because of darkness.
Oosthuizen’s round was his eighth career round of 67 or lower in the US Open and broke a tie with Jack Nicklaus (7) for most rounds of 67 or better in US Open history.
Fellow South African Shaun Norris also made a positive start with his round of one-under-par 69. “The golf course is tough. You’ve got to hit fairways. You’ve got to hit greens. That’s the basic thing about this course. But I really hit the ball nicely. I was happy with it. I gave myself a lot of opportunities, so I can’t complain,” Norris told the media.
Erik van Rooyen and Christiaan Bezuidenhout came through round one at level par.
JC Ritchie was amongst the leaders early in the first round but eventually settled for a round of four-over-par 74. Branden Grace signed for a 75, while Justin Harding opened with a 77.
