WORLD NUMBER ONE Dustin Johnson seized a share of the lead with nine holes remaining in his opening round at the US Open golf championship.
On a day when strong winds blowing off Long Island Sound made Shinnecock Hills a test of survival, Johnson was two-under through nine holes, tied with fellow American Russell Henley, who was two-under through 12.
England’s Ian Poulter and American Scott Piercy were in the clubhouse on one-under 69 on a day that saw a bevy of stars struggle and few players drop below par even briefly.
Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy matched his highest major round score with a 10-over 80. Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth signed for a 78 and five-time major winner Phil Mickelson posted a 77.
Tiger Woods, playing the US Open for the first time since 2015, got off to a disastrous start with a triple-bogey at the par-four first.
Woods’s approach from the fairway rolled through the green and down into a collection area. His chip was short and rolled back down, his next attempt also failing to stay on the putting surface.
The 14-time major champion, playing just his 10th event in his comeback after spinal fusion surgery, used his putter to get the ball on the green, then two-putted for a seven.
Woods promptly bogeyed the next, but pulled a stroke back at the par-five fifth to make the turn at three-over.
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