UNIVERSITY PLACE, Washington, (Reuters) – Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson moved into a tie for the early U.S. Open lead yesterday while Phil Mickelson made an encouraging start in his bid for a career grand slam of the four majors.
Long-hitting Johnson took advantage of calm conditions on a firm and fast-running Chambers Bay layout as he fired a five-under-par 65 in the first round of the year’s second major, which is being played for the first time in the Pacific Northwest.
The 30-year-old American piled up six birdies and a lone bogey to finish level with Swede Henrik Stenson, who birdied four of his last five holes at the British Open-style venue.
They were one stroke ahead of American Patrick Reed with half the field back in the clubhouse, while American Matt Kuchar trailed by two.
“I hit the ball really well … had a lot of good looks at birdie all day,” Johnson, who like Stenson is seeking a first major title, told reporters.
“It’s firm but you could control your golf ball, for sure. Today I controlled my ball very well. The confidence is definitely there. I feel really good about where I’m at and going into tomorrow.”
Stenson joined Johnson at the top after draining a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a homeward nine of four-under 31.
“It was a good day,” said the Swedish world number six. “I was striking it nicely, which led to a lot of birdie opportunities for me.
“I felt like I was really keeping my patience and a level head out there. I hit some beautiful putts and managed to slip a few in there. It was a good way to finish the day.”
Mickelson, who is yearning to complete a career grand slam of the four majors by winning his first U.S. Open, was “very pleased” after carding a 69 that included four birdies and three bogeys.
“I hit a lot of good shots today,” Mickelson, a runner-up at the U.S. Open a record six times, said after hitting nine of 14 fairways and totalling 31 putts. “I shot under par the first day of the U.S. Open.
“The first round was the round I was going to be most nervous at, getting started. You don’t want to have to fight to come back all the time. You want to get off to a solid start around par.
“I’m very pleased with the way the round went.”
