U.S. Open Agony for Luke Donald
World number one Luke Donald's dismal day on The Olympic Course was the lowlight from what was billed as a super-group on the opening day of the U.S. Open.
Donald couldn't find a single birdie, but bogeyed half his holes in a nine-over par 79 to see any chance that he could at last claim a first major title this week dwindle to virtually nil.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, the defending champion and ranked number two in the world, fared little better with a 77, while third-ranked Lee Westwood, four-over through six holes, had to fight mightily to rally for a 73.
Nineteen-over for the threesome, who will play together again in Friday's second round.
"The top three in the world and we make three between us," Donald said of the dearth of birdies. "It shows how tough it is.
"There aren't that many opportunities out there. Some hole locations with the firmness of the greens and the direction of the wind, the best case you're going to do is 20 feet.
"So it's a challenge."
McIlroy, 23, authored a record-setting U.S. Open victory at Congressional last year. But the firm, fast Olympic course was nothing like the course outside Washington that had been softened by pre-tournament rain, where McIlroy finished with a 16-under par total.
"It's just so tough here if you put yourself out of position at all," said McIlroy, whose lone birdie came at the par-three 13th. "It's tough to make your pars from there.
"I was just too many times in the wrong position off the tee or with my second shot. When you're trying to play catch-up on this golf course, it's very hard."
McIlroy said the pressure of defending the title had nothing to do with his performance.
"I tried to approach it like any other tournament I play," said McIlroy, whose build-up to the championship included three consecutive missed cuts, and consequently an extra event in Memphis last week in order to get in more tournament rounds.
"Today wasn't my greatest day, but hopefully I can come out tomorrow morning and try and shoot a good one and at least try to be here for the weekend."
Westwood was much better positioned, although things weren't looking good after a double bogey at the first.
He birdied the par-four seventh hole and picked up another shot at the par-five 17th to finish the day seven off the overnight lead of 66 posted by American Michael Thompson.
Source: Agence France Presse
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