Fowler and Matsuyama walk from their first tee. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

RICKIE FOWLER IS the early pace-setter at the US Open in Erin Hills, Milwaukee, after shooting a terrific seven-under-par 65 early on day one.

The 28-year-old American is two shots clear of his compatriot Brian Harman after a bogey-free round that featured three straight birdies as he made the turn at the 18th.

Like Fowler, Graeme McDowell also began his round on the 10th hole, but made the turn already two over par and was unable to pick up a birdie on the way back as he slipped to a round of 76, four over par, with a bogey on his final hole.

G-Mac reacts to a wayward shot on 15. David J. Phillip David J. Phillip

With Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy yet to tee off (at the time of writing) Paul Dunne went just one shot better off as the best of the Irish. The Wicklow man started well with a birdie on the second, but bogeyed the par five seventh before struggling through the back nine with three more bogeys on the 10th, 11th and 17th leaving him with a 75, three over par.

Johnson chips towards the 17th green. SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

Pre-tournament favourite Dustin Johnson also sits on three over par (through 16 holes) after a disastrous run of double bogey, bogey, birdie, bogey from hole 14 to 17.

See the full leaderboard latest here>>

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Drama in the sky over US Open as blimp crashes, pilot reportedly suffered burns and rushed to hospital

Quiz: How well do you know the US Open?