The U.S. Open seemed to be a challenge for the majority of the field during Round 1 at Pebble Beach. Both Woods and Mickelson shot a birdie-free round; a first in any PGA Tour round. Mickelson posted a 75; his first round in on the PGA Tour without a birdie since the first round of the 2007 U.S. Open. On the other hand, Woods posted a 74, his first birdie-free round during a PGA Tour Major since the 2003 Masters. So how do they fare in the overall standings? All in all, not too bad; both are in the top half of the field in scoring.
Only three players posted a score under 70: Shaun Micheel, 69; Paul Casey, 69; Brendon de Jonge, 69. One of the lead “young guns”, Ryo Ishikawa, posted a respectable 70. (At age 18, Ishikawa, holds seven Japan Tour championships.) Along with Ishikawa, Cabrera-Bella, Choi, Weir, Poulter, and Cejka posted a first round of 70.
The late afternoon created a challenge for all on the putting surface. The fast, bumpy poa challenged the world’s best players. Those that are teeing off in the morning for Round 2 should find a kinder course on the greens.
