Tacoma, United States - Ben Martin briefly joined Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson atop the US Open first round leaderboard at five under par at Chambers Bay on Thursday.
Stenson and Johnson were already hours finished with their rounds and in the clubhouse with 65s when Martin, who missed the cut in five of his six previous majors, sunk a 25-foot putt at the second, his 11th, to get to five under.
He promptly bogeyed the next hole, however, to fall back.
Also closing in on the leaders was American amateur Brian Campbell, who was four under after 10 holes, while Australian Jason Day was threatening at three under after 13.
Masters champion Jordan Spieth made an indifferent start and was even at the turn, but he battled back quickly with three straight birdies from the 11th to move up the leaderboard.
Tiger Woods, meanwhile, was again struggling and was six over after 12 holes holes, raising doubts over whether he will make it through to the weekend.
World number one and tournament favourite Rory McIlroy looked dismayed after four bogeys left him with a two over 72.
But but there were smiles on the faces of the two oldest men in the tournament - Colin Montgomerie and Miguel Angel Jimenez after both carded 69.
Patrick Reed was alone in third in the clubhouse after a 66 with fellow American Matt Kuchar a shot further back.
AFP
