GOLF - JJ SPAUN grabbed the first-round clubhouse lead at the US Open yesterday at Oakmont Country Club where Masters champion Rory McIlroy was eight shots back and tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler reached the turn six back.
Much of the talk this week has been how the notoriously challenging course would keep scores in check and, while the layout did bare its teeth, Spaun somehow managed to produce only the eighth bogey-free round in a US Open at Oakmont.
Spaun, who lost to McIlroy in a playoff at The Players Championship in March, fired a four-under-par 66 in stifling conditions that marked his lowest round in a major.
“I hit a lot of good shots and tried to capitalise on any birdie opportunities, which aren’t very many out here,” said Spaun. “But I scrambled really well, too, which is a huge component to playing well at a US Open, let alone shoot a bogey-free round.
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