Tacoma, United States - Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson have a lot in common: they are both big men, both big hitters and both are overdue a win in a major tournament.
And both had outstanding opening rounds of 65 as the US Open got underway at Chambers Bay near Seattle on Thursday.
The Swede Stenson had seven birdies and two bogeys in a superb display of putting, while American Johnson was bogey-free until he hit into a tough bunker on his par-three last.
They were sharing the clubhouse lead as the 156-strong field continued to grapple with a monster of a course that has left many top players scratching their heads.
Stenson, the 39-year-old world number six, has been one of the best golfers in the world over the last few years, and has five top five finishes in the last seven majors. Still the maiden victory he seeks has eluded him.
The omens were not good again as he prepared for the test that is Chambers Bay after his caddie Gareth Lord fell on the treacherous links terrain during a practice round and tore ligaments in his wrist.
In the end, he stayed on the bag for the first round providing added motivation for his golfer to do well.
"He's not in a good place with the hand, but he managed to caddie and did a good job for me anyway. I had to caddie for him a little bit as well.
Stenson, whose form slumped in the spring as he struggled to fully recover from a viral infection said Chambers Bay had been a "different" challenge.
"Of it's kind it's the finest," he said tongue in cheek. "It is a links course with some extreme features."
"Regardless of whether you like all the holes, you like some of the stuff on this course, I'm here to do a good tournament and a good championship," he said.
"So just keep your head down and keep on going, that's what's going to get me in a good spot."
The 30-year-old Johnson, who has come close in all four majors, has made a fine return to top form after taking six months off last year to deal with unspecified "personal issues."
His last tournament, in Memphis last week, ended early when he was forced to pull out due to an illness, but he immediately took a liking to Chambers Bay saying that it set up well for him.
"Leading up to this week I was actually a little bit frustrated. I've been playing pretty well. I had some good finishes," he said.
"But just wasn't striking it like I wanted to. But the last few days, have done a lot of good work with (coach) Butch (Harmon) and felt really comfortable when I came out on Saturday.
"I was really swinging well. I've really got a good feel for the golf course because I'm swinging a lot better than I have been in the past few weeks. And it carried right over into today."
AFP
