The 124th US Open was released on Thursday morning, and on a course as difficult as Pinehurst No. 2, it is reasonable to expect competitors to raise their games. We have all the best action from the first round of the 2024 tournament in North Carolina right here.
Caplan is money in the bank
Jackson Suber isn’t the only qualifier making noise in the first round of the 124th US Open. Frankie Capan III, who earned a medal in the final qualifier at Duke University Golf Club, is also tied for sixth at 2 under after making birdie on No. 1. According to the PGA Tour, Capan’s father was one of the early leaders in getting ATMs. except for banks in the 1990s. Capan has been cashing in on the Korn Ferry Tour this season with six top-25 finishes in his 12 starts, including a runner-up finish at the Visit Knoxville Open. Capan and Ben Wong also won the 2017 US Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Pinehurst No. 2, so you are familiar with the subject. — Mark Schlabach
The hero returns
You are back. Martin Kaymer, the 2014 US Open runner-up at Pinehurst returns to the No. 2 course this week, and it didn’t take him long to find his comfort zone. Kaymer birdied the 13th hole in Thursday’s first round, putting him at 2 under and currently tied for sixth. Earlier this week, Kaymer said he felt this version of Pinehurst was tougher than the one he won by eight shots 10 years ago, but if there’s any common knowledge left so far, it seems like Kaymer is using it. — Paolo Uggetti
.@MKaymer59 making birdies and avoiding bogeys like it’s 2014 again! pic.twitter.com/T8nFioDm42
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
Suber takes the time
Jackson Suber, one of the last qualifiers to enter the field when Jon Rahm left Tuesday with a left foot injury, is making the most of his unexpected opportunity. The former Ole Miss golfer just made his second birdie on the par-4 13th hole to move into a tie for sixth place at 2 under with five holes to play. Suber, 24, has never won a PGA Tour event, losing twice. He has earned nearly $365,000 on the Korn Ferry Tour over the past two seasons and $7,000 on the PGA Tour Canada. Needless to say, if Suber somehow keeps it up, he’ll do a lot more this weekend. — Mark Schlabach
The last man in the field and making a move 👀@JacksonSuber I am t6 @USOpenGolf.pic.twitter.com/RZQBy3oPHv
– PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 13, 2024
Hatton cracks a smile after birdie
He’s playing on the LIV Tour now, but hotshot Tyrrell Hatton hasn’t changed much. On the 213-yard par-3 17th hole, Hatton dropped his club quickly at impact, then hit it with his feet before looking up and seeing that his ball had landed on the green a few feet from the pin. The next birdie putt landed, and Hatton, now 1 under for the tournament, couldn’t help but smile. — Paolo Uggetti
It’s a pretty good shot, to be honest. 😏@TyrrellHatton now 2 under and T-4. pic.twitter.com/sNmPTocoxp
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
Finau back in the mix
Between the 2018 Masters and the 2021 PGA Championship, Tony Finau finished 10th in nine of his 13 major tournament starts. He was a top-10 lock. In the last 12 starts since then, Finau has not finished better than 15th. Finau is back in the mix again after carding a 2-under 68 in the first round on Thursday. It would be the 34th time since the start of 2015 that Finau has been in the top 10 at the end of a major round, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Only Rory McIlroy (52) and Justin Rose (49) have more such rounds in that span. — Mark Schlabach
Tough start for Lefty
It was a forgettable first round for LIV Golf League captain Phil Mickelson on Thursday at Pinehurst No. the first wave. Mickelson made nine bogeys — including each of the first four holes — without a birdie. He hit just six of 14 fairways off the tee and three of 18 greens. “Lefty” is now 29 in his past 11 rounds at Pinehurst No. — Mark Schlabach
Rory has a touch
After sending his drive into the fairways on the par-5 fifth hole and failing to lay on the fairway, Rory McIlroy’s approach shot left the green and rolled. No problem. The four-time major winner chipped in and chipped in on the hole for his second birdie of the day, putting him at 2 under through five holes.
Rory makes a difficult birdie on an easy hole in the fairway! pic.twitter.com/f5IihnAlrX
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
Cantlay flirts with history
For a golfer who has been considered one of the most talented golfers in the world for the past few seasons, Patrick Cantlay’s record at major tournaments has not been great. The eight-time PGA Tour winner has 14 top-25 finishes in 29 appearances but only one top-five finish — a tie for third at the 2019 PGA Championship. On Thursday, Cantlay was the first clubhouse leader with a 5-under 65, thanks to accurate iron play and a smart short game. According to data from ESPN Stats & Information, Cantlay has never been in the top five at the end of a major opening round. He has also never led or shared the lead in any major tournament. — Mark Schlabach
THIS is close to the lowest round in US Open history at Pinehurst. 😮
Still, a sizzling 65 for @patrick_cantlay. pic.twitter.com/hptat2zbVu
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
Aberg is helping to celebrate
At this point, we probably shouldn’t be surprised by anything Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg does on the golf course. After finishing second in his first Masters appearance in April, Aberg carded a 4-under 66 on Thursday, his first round at the US Open. He is 1 point behind leader Patrick Cantlay. Aberg is the seventh player in US Open history to post a 66 or better in his first round at the US Open; Matthew Wolff was the latest with a 4 under 66 at Winged Foot in 2020. — Mark Schlabach
Perhaps the easiest bird of all Ludvig Åberg 🇸🇪 will do it all week.
He is tied for the lead in his US Open debut. pic.twitter.com/Lzpgm2Jz25
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
Rahm watched from home
Jon Rahm may be out of the US Open with a foot ailment, but he’s still watching his teammates.
Shipped and ready to enjoy the show. @usopengolf pic.twitter.com/nt1a9Rd7CF
– Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmOfficial) June 13, 2024
Shipley is making waves
Remember Neal Shipley, a Masters undergrad in April? Ohio State golf is back on the leaderboard at 2 under after 12 holes. “Ship” holed an 18½-footer for birdie on No. 1 and 33½ feet on the par-4 12th to move into a tie for fourth. It’s a good thing Woods isn’t playing anymore today; Shipley, the runner-up in the 2023 US Amateur, beat Tiger by 4 shots in Sunday’s tee at Augusta National. — Mark Schlabach
OH!
Another tall bird appears @OhioStateMGOLFNeal Shipley in his final event as a freshman. pic.twitter.com/GeepB8yLlJ
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
The tiger goes back
Tiger picked up a birdie on the 5th to end a 5-over-par stretch over the past seven holes. He ripped a 316-yard drive down the right side, his second shot bouncing off the green before rolling back. He jumped to 30 feet and missed the eagle putt. Woods had birdies on both par-5s and needed a second to get back to 3 over with four holes to play. — Mark Schlabach
Tiger gets one back.
He hit both par 5s today. pic.twitter.com/lYCyHXzOuM
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
Pavon helps celebrate
For all the talk of Pinehurst’s struggles this week, it doesn’t seem like Matthieu Pavon is in much trouble. The Frenchman made the turn at 2 under, with one eagle already under his belt, and went on to add a second on the par-5 10th hole with a 27-foot putt after reaching the green. It’s still early, but Pavon 5 below will now set the pace for the rest of the tournament. — Paolo Uggetti
Pavon made eagles on both par-5s at Pinehurst No. 2 in the first round on Thursday to become the first player to reach 5 under. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the first golfer to make two eagles in the same round of the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2. Is the third player to make it to the US Open on any course in the last 10 years; Jimmy Walker (second round, Shinnecock Hills in 2018) and Tommy Fleetwood (final round, Los Angeles Country Club in 2023) were the others. –Mark Schlabach
Amazing! 🇫🇷
One leader @matthieupavon and his *second* morning eagle. pic.twitter.com/4hFyWbFfKh
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
Brooks is in the lead
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: On a major golf course, Brooks Koepka leads the tournament. The four-time winner took an early lead at the US Open by playing the front nine at 2 under and birdieing the 10th hole to move to 3 under for the day. Koepka seems to thrive in this type of setup, and this week should be no different. — Paolo Uggetti
A very familiar face at the top of the US Open leaderboard.
Brooks Koepka -3. pic.twitter.com/zn4p3lMB0M
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
Tiger starts strong
Fifteen-time champion Tiger Woods got off to a good start on Thursday. He started second on the ninth and sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-5 10th. On the 4th 12th, Woods didn’t like his second shot and almost broke the iron over his knee. His ball landed on the greenside. He broke 10 feet and made par to stay at 1 under. Woods’ short game has looked rusty at the Masters and PGA Championship, but so far he’s been excellent at Pinehurst No. 2. — Mark Schlabach
Thursday roared.@TigerWoods leads the 124th US Open. pic.twitter.com/ZDhfhK6dJh
– US Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
