Just four players managed to break par as the field struggled with the Shinnecock Hills course in New York on the first day of the US golf Open.
Ryan Fox. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
World number one Dustin Johnson is one of the leaders who managed a one under par 69.
He's joined by fellow Americans Scott Piercy and Russell Henley and Englishman Ian Poulter.
New Zealander Ryan Fox is tied for 19th... four shots from the leaders, while Tim Wilkinson had a six over par 69, but that still has him in the top half of the field.
Jason Dufner carded 70 to be a shot back in solo fifth place.
The notoriously difficult Shinnecock Hills took a host of big-name scalps, notably Australia's Jason Day and three-time US Open winner Tiger Woods.
Woods racked up a triple-bogey seven on his first hole and never recovered during a 78.
He joined Phil Mickelson (77) and Jordan Spieth (78) as multiple major winners with rounds high in the 70s, while Rory McIlroy carded a 10-over 80 and fellow former US Open winner Martin Kaymer shot 83.
Meanwhile, Aaron Baddeley and Marc Leishman led the Australian charge at four-over having posted a 74.
Worst round of the day so far goes to former British amateur champion Scott Gregory, who suffered through a 22-over 92.
The 23-year-old became the first player in 16 years to shoot 90 or worse at the US Open.
"It's been a long time (since failing to break 90) and this is not really the week I wanted to revisit that score," he said.
-RNZ/AAP
