Spaun Dominates Oakmont: DeChambeau and McIlroy Struggle at the US Open

Schauffele Offers Wise Advice to Spaun After a Standout Round at the US Open

Oakmont, Pa. – Xander Schauffele, two-time major champion, shared words of advice for J.J. Spaun, who led the leaderboard on the first day of the 125th US Open at Oakmont Country Club with an impressive score of 4 under par 66.

It’s Thursday. You know, I’d tell J.J., ‘Incredible round, good game. Good luck the rest of the way.’
Schauffele

In a day where Oakmont’s complicated rough and fast greens tested the world’s best golfers, Spaun was the only player in the first morning group who managed to complete the 18 holes without registering any bogeys.

DeChambeau and McIlroy Face Difficulties in the First Round

Oakmont proved to be a challenge for the current US Open champion, Bryson DeChambeau, and Masters champion Rory McIlroy, at least in the first round. DeChambeau finished with a score of 3 over par 73, while McIlroy performed slightly worse.

This golf course can get complicated quickly, and you have to be at your best. And it got me, and I wasn’t completely on my game, so I’m pretty disappointed with my performance.
DeChambeau

DeChambeau, who was playing at a good pace at 1 under par after eight holes, struggled from that point on. After a bogey on the 9th hole, he had problems on the 12th hole, needing a 25-foot putt to save bogey. His short game and putting worked against him throughout the round. He lost almost two strokes (1.79) on the greens and needed 32 putts. McIlroy, for his part, got off to a good start by completing the first nine holes with 2 under par 33. However, his game fell apart with bogeys on holes 1, 4, 6 and 7, and a double bogey on hole 8. He finished with 6 over par 41 on the last nine holes. Schauffele, for his part, signed a card of 2 over par 72, achieving birdies in the last two holes, including a 25-foot putt on the 18th hole. With temperatures rising on Thursday, the streets and greens of Oakmont became firmer and faster. Rain is forecast for the weekend, but Schauffele hopes it will stay away.