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Xander Schauffele: US Open could turn “nasty”

3 minute read

Xander Schauffele has said the US Open could turn "nasty" after recording the lowest score in the tournament's 123-year history.

Picture: AAP Image

The American sits at the top of the leaderboard at Los Angeles Country Club, tied with his Ryder Cup team-mate Rickie Fowler after day one.

Schauffele recorded eight birdies and no bogeys while Fowler carded ten birdies and two bogies.

Their eight-under-par 62 equalled the lowest score in any men's major championship, which was set by Branden Grace in the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale.

Despite this, the likes of Dustin Johnson, Wyndham Clark, Rory McIlroy and Brian Harman are hot on their heels.

The pair were five shots up once the morning was complete, but by close of play, Johnson and Clark were only two behind, with McIlroy and Harman only one stroke worse off.

Speaking after his round, Schauffele said: "It's not really what you expect playing a US Open, but monkey see, monkey do.

"I was just chasing Rickie up the leaderboard. Glad he was just in front of me. [But] it's just Thursday. It's literally just the first day of a tournament. It's a good start. You just wait until this place firms up. It's going to be nasty."

The weather on Friday is expected to be sunnier and warmer, meaning the course is likely to dry out. This would suggest tougher scoring conditions, while a light wind is also likely to make things tricky.

Amongst the other big names, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau both shot rounds of 67, leaving them five off the leaders, while Jon Rahm struggled before carding 69.

Brooks Koepka matched defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick by scoring 71.