Fowler leads US Open as stars struggle at Erin Hills

US Open leaderboard http://www.pgatour.com/competition/2017/us-open/leaderboard.html

Erin Hills GC in Wisconsin is only 11 years old and is making it's US Open debut. It is the longest course in US Open history at over 7800 yards, with the widest fairways and it has been softened by torrential rain earlier this week, making the greens very receptive. It is a links style course.... on steroids !

However Thursday dawned calm, bright and sunny, ideal for scoring, but from the world's top 10, only the leader, Rickie Fowler #9 with a perfect -7 65 and Masters champion Sergio Garcia #7 -2 70 broke par.

World golf ranking http://www.owgr.com/

Jordan Spieth #5 (73), Dustin Johnson #1 75, said they didn't make enough putts. McIlroy #2 +6 78, Henrik Stenson #6 +2 74, Hideki Matsuyama #4 +2 74, Bubba Watson +3 75  Jon Rahm #10 +4 76  Danny Willett +9 81 didn't drive it well and couldn't recover from the deep fescue.

Fowler, who shared the 36-hole lead at the Masters played early in benign conditions, perfect for scoring, and was never in trouble. He drove it beautifully hitting fairway after fairway, combined with an accurate wedge game, resulting in seven birdies, all from within 15 feet.

His -7 score tied the record to par for the first round of a U.S. Open held by Jack Nicklaus (63) and Tom Weiskopf (63) in 1980.

Jason Day #3 had two triple bogeys and posted a 79, his worst score ever in the U.S. Open. Rory McIlroy #2 drove it wildly and shot 78, his worst U.S. Open score.

Paul Casey shot -6 66 along with  357th ranked rookie Xander Schauffele ( Zander Show-flae) and they are T2. Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood and Brian Harman are at 67.

Canadians: Adam Hadwin, Mr 59 ( CareerBuilder Challenge) who won his first PGA championship back in March at the Valspar,  had a great start with a -4 68 and he tied a U.S. Open record when he started on the back nine and promptly made six straight birdies, from the 18th through the fifth hole. Corey Connors, a Monday qualifier shot +4 76.

Others in the 59 club?  JustinThomas, Jim Furyk (58,59), Al Geiberger (1977 Memphis Classic), Chip Beck (1991 Las Vegas Invitational), David Duval (1999 Bob Hope Classic), Paul Goydos (2010 John Deere Classic) and Stuart Appleby (2010 Greenbrier Classic).

More rain is forecast for Friday and Saturday afternoon.

Listen for my report on TSN1290 with my pal Rick Ralph at 1215pm Friday.

Bryan Angus