2023 US Open leaderboard: Latest updates with Rory McIlroy chasing down Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele

Records were broken after a low-scoring first round of the 2023 US Open at Los Angeles Country Club with Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele setting the early pace.

It is the first time in 75 years that the US Open is being played in the city, with LA Country Club hosting the event for the first time. A challenging layout was expected for the players but, with little wind, there were birdies on offer.

Rickie Fowler leads the way at eight under par which, in turn, broke the record for the lowest round in US Open history. Xander Schauffle would join him in the record books minutes later after the American also shot an eight-under round.

Rory McIlroy suffered a hiccup at the last, with bogey souring what was otherwise an excellent round from the four-time major champion. He sits at five under par alongside Brian Harman with LIV star Dustin Johnson and Wyndham Clark a shot better at six under.

Scottie Scheffler remains well in contention at three-under par, while world number one Jon Rahm sits at one under. Brooks Koepka was among the favourites to back up his victory in the US PGA Championship but shot a disappointing one-over-par 71 to sit nine shots back of the lead.

Follow all the action from the 123rd US Open:

US Open 2023

• The US Open opening round kicks off at the Los Angeles Country Club

• Rickie Fowler makes history with lowest round in US Open history

• Xander Schauffele joins Fowler in the record books with his bogey-free round of 62

• Rory McIlroy three off the lead after bogey on 18

• Leaderboard: -8: Fowler, Schauffele; -6: Clark, Johnson; -5: McIlroy, Harman; -3: Scheffler, DeChambeau, Bennett, English and more

Goodbye for now

03:23 , Ben Fleming

Well, what a great first day of US Open action. Few could have expected scores that low and one suspects the USGA will be meeting overnight to ensure tougher conditions tomorrow.

There is a way to go in this tournament but we’ve already got one hell of a leaderboard.

Thanks for tuning in today and we’ll see you tomorrow for all the action from round two!

Leaderboard

03:18 , Ben Fleming

With round one almost finished, here is a look at the top of the leaderboard:

-8: Fowler, Schauffele

-6: Johnson, Clark

-5: McIlroy, Harman,

-3: Scheffler, DeChambeau, Bennett, SW Kim, English, Barjon

Bogey to finish for McIlroy

03:06 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -5 (65), Koepka +1 (71), Matsuyama +2 (72)

It’s a little over eleven feet for the bogey...and he makes it! It’s his only bogey of the day but that could well be the most important putt he has made all day. It might sting initially, but when he reflects on the round later there will be a lot of positives. Too often has he played himself out of contention after the opening 18 and that is far from the case this time.

Koepka’s birdie attempt misses by a whisker and he finishes with a one-over-par 71. That’s not the start he would have wanted and, with tougher conditions expected tomorrow, it may well be difficult for him to climb the leaderboard. The same can be said for Matsuyama who ends on two over par after a round of 72.

Trouble for Rory on the last

03:03 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -6 (17), Koepka +1 (17), Matsuyama +2 (17)

Oh, Rory...right at the end and he’s in all sorts of bother. His iron into the last green leaks to the left and it’s in the thick greenside rough. At the first attempt, he tries to lift it out with a lob wedge but it doesn’t move.

He gets it out at the second attempt but he now has a testing putt to avoid double bogey - the margins of golf.

Great day for Harman

02:58 , Ben Fleming

Harman -5 (65)

There is a chance for birdie at the last for Brian Harman but he can’t convert and taps in for par. Another unusually low round of golf here at the US Open but Harman won’t care one bit - he’s in the clubhouse at five under and just three off the lead after his first round.

Final-hole bogey for Johnson

02:56 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -6 (64)

That is quite the sight on the last as Johnson flies his tee shot way over the hole. He is playing onto the ninth but ends up in the bunker on 18!

From there, it’s a good chip, all things considered, but he can’t make the par-saving putt and he drops back to six under for the round. Regardless, a very good opening round by the two-time major champion who has made the most of these benign first-round conditions.

Bogey at the last for Bennett

02:51 , Ben Fleming

Smith -1 (69), Bennett -3 (67), Fitzpatrick +1 (71)

A disappointing finish for Sam Bennett, who is unable to get up and down from the sand and ends with back-to-back bogeys. He drops back to three under par but that’s still a hugely promising first round from the young professional.

Cam Smith also finds himself in the second after his second and he makes bogey to sign off with a one-under-par 69. Matt Fitzpatrick- the defending champion - finishes one over par for his round.

McIlroy takes care of the hardest hole

02:49 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -6 (17), Koepka +1 (17), Matsuyama +2 (17)

A four is a very good score on the penultimate hole and Rory makes no mistake with a good two-putt from the heart of the green. Koepka and Matsuyama both make par as well as this trio head to the last.

Harman drops a shot

02:47 , Ben Fleming

Harman -5 (17)

This lengthy 17th was always going to prove a problem for a shorter hitter like Brian Harman and he’s in the greenside bunker on the penultimate hole. He’s unable to scramble out of the sand and that’s a bogey to move him down to five under with one to play.

Johnson into second

02:44 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -7 (17*)

What a superb second-nine Dustin Johnson is putting together. He makes the most of the par-five eighth to notch up his fifth birdie since making the turn and move to seven under par.

Good par from Rory

02:32 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -6 (16), Koepka +1 (16), Matsuyama +2 (16)

Rory takes his second from the middle of the fairway and it’s short - he knows it straight away - and his first missed green in regulation.

He opts for the putter from just off the green and he gives it a great run but it’s just past the left edge. A good par for Rory and Koepka and Matsuyama follow suit.

Birdie-bogey for Bennett

02:27 , Ben Fleming

Smith -2 (17), Bennett -4 (17), Fitzpatrick +1 (17)

Fresh off his birdie, the young Sam Bennett runs into trouble on the penultimate hole as his ball flies through to the back of the green. He’s unable to get it up and down and he drops back to four under par.

Cam Smith pours in a birdie effort to move up to two under while Fitzpatrick makes par to remain at one over.

Harman back into third

02:25 , Ben Fleming

Harman -6 (16)

The Georgian has been quiet for a few holes but issues a timely reminder of his presence at the top of the leaderboard with a 23-foot birdie putt from just off the green. He moves into that group at six under par.

Wyndham Clark signs off in style

02:20 , Ben Fleming

Clark -6 (64)

Birdie, bogey, birdie, par, birdie, bogey, birdie - certainly a busy final seven holes for the recent PGA Tour winner but he finishes on a high note with a birdie on the last.

That’s good enough for a six-under round of 64 and a spot in the top three as things stand. Fine stuff from the American.

McIlroy finds another birdie

02:19 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -6 (15), Koepka +1 (15), Matsuyama +2 (15)

15th has provided plenty of opportunities today, and McIlroy doesn’t need a second invitation to take advantage. A wonderful iron spins back below the hole to just over ten feet and the putt is fired into the heart of the cup.

Into a tie for third and two off the lead. Koepka makes his par while Matsuyama is rewarded for a fine tee shot with a birdie to move to two over.

Mickelson in the clubhouse

02:15 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -1 (69)

A couple of dropped shots coming in from Phil but he signs off with a couple of pars to finish with a one-under-par 69. That’s a solid start under most US Open conditions but it leaves him seven shots back after today’s low scoring.

Back-to-back birdies for Bennett

02:10 , Ben Fleming

Smith -1 (16), Bennett -5 (16), Fitzpatrick +1 (16)

Sam Bennett continues his superb charge with a beautifully-judged approach into the 16th. It sets up a birdie look and he makes no mistake to convert a second successive birdie and move into a tie for fourth.

Fitzpatrick also picks up a much-needed birdie to move himself back to one over par.

02:08 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -5 (14), Koepka +1 (14), Matsuyama +3 (14)

More trouble off the tee for McIlroy and Koepka. The pair have to lay up and it’s two poor approaches with wedge. Both have about 50 feet to get down for their pars but they are able to do so.

The tough closing holes coming up for this trio - you’d suspect a few more pars coming in would go down a treat for all involved.

Back-to-back birdies for Johnson

01:59 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -6 (15*)

He’s not going under the radar now! A delightful wedge into the sixth drops just over two feet from the hole and he taps in to move into a tie for third and two shots off the lead.

Bennett on the move

01:57 , Ben Fleming

Smith -1 (15), Bennett -4 (15), Fitzpatrick +2 (15)

This is only Sam Bennett’s third major championship but he looks right at home in the biggest competitions. Another great shot, this time into the par-three 15th, sets up his fifth birdie of the day. He’s into seventh on four under.

Smith remains at one under while Fitzpatrick has dropped back again to two over par after his bogey on the hole prior.

Clark finds another birdie

01:50 , Ben Fleming

Clark -6 (16)

It’s been an up-and-down second nine from Wyndham Clark but he manages to find another birdie after a superb approach into the long par-four 16th. He moves into solo third again and two shots off the lead.

Another par for Rory

01:49 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -5 (14), Koepka +1 (14), Matsuyama +3 (14)

Rory is in a small spot of trouble for the first time off the tee but he muscles on out and onto the green in regulation. It’s a testing putt down the slope but nicely done by Rory who taps in for his par. Koepka does well to save his par with a good putt while Matsuyama drops another shot to fall to three over.

Johnson on the charge

01:46 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (14*)

The front nine looks decidedly more gettable than the back and Dustin Johnson is finding that out first-hand. He played the back nine first but he drains his third birdie in his last five holes on the front and he’s now level with McIlroy on five under.

Back-to-back bogeys for Mickelson

01:42 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -1 (16*)

It does feel like the birdies may have dried up a little bit out there. Mickelson is certainly one of those and he’s in trouble again after his tee shot. The American hacks out of the rough but he can’t save his par on the 16th and drops back to one under.

Harman drops back

01:36 , Ben Fleming

Harman -5 (13)

Harman takes a three wood off the fairway into the long par-four 13th but it ends up in the rough and from there, it’s a tough ask. He’s unable to save par and he drops back to five under with McIlroy and Clark.

Bogey for Smith

01:31 , Ben Fleming

Smith -1 (13), Bennett -3 (13), Fitzpatrick +1 (13)

Ahead of McIlroy and Koepka, Smith gets himself in some trouble off the tee and can’t save his par. He drops back to one under par. Sam Bennett and Matt Fitzpatrick both do well to save their respective pars with good medium-range putts, however.

Clark and Johnson continue to climb

01:27 , Ben Fleming

Clark -5 (14), Johnson -4 (13*)

Clark bounces back from his bogey on 13 and takes advantage of the par-five 14th to move back alongside McIlroy at five under.

Dustin Johnson is certainly another going about his business in a promising manner. A birdie at the first followed by another at three has him up to four under and into a tie for sixth.

Good par save from Koepka

01:24 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -5 (12), Koepka +1 (12), Matsuyama +2 (12)

Another green hit in regulation for Rory but he can’t quite get the line on his downhill right-to-left putt and it’s another par. Koepka’s drive ended up in the left rough with his second flying over the back.

It sits down again but a nerveless putt from the American to save his par

Mickelson mistake at 6

01:22 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -2 (15*)

An uncharacteristic mistake from Phil with the short iron leaves him all kinds of bother to just make bogey. He’s able to do so and a small fist pump tells you he knows how important that waa to avoid a double bogey.

Hughes making his move

01:15 , Ben Fleming

Hughes -3 (10*)

A very solid start to the US Open for Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes. A bogey-free first nine is followed by a regulation birding on the par-five first. He’s up to three under and a tie for eighth.

Solid par from McIlroy

01:11 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -5 (11), Koepka +1 (11), Matsuyama +2 (11)

The long 11th is not to be messed with and McIlroy and Koepka both take care of the par three with pars.

Matsuyama is in all sorts of bother in the front bunker and the Japanese star makes a costly double-bogey five.

Bogey for Clark

Friday 16 June 2023 00:56 , Ben Fleming

Clark -4 (13)

It’s been a great afternoon for Clark but he gives one back to the course after a wayward second and he’s back with Harris English at four under.

Monster putt for Mickelson

Friday 16 June 2023 00:50 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -3 (13*), Harrington +2 (13*), Bradley +3 (13*)

My oh my, Phil is on the charge with back-to-back birdies. If the last one was a tap-in, then this one is anything but as the ball drops after travelling just under 50 feet to the hole.

Harrington and Bradley both make par.

Friday 16 June 2023 00:46 , Ben Fleming

Smith -2 (11), Bennett -3 (11), Fitzpatrick +1 (11)

Sam Bennett has only been a professional a matter of months but he’s outperforming the two major champions in his group today. A nice birdie on eleven moves him to three under par and a tie for seventh.

Fitzpatrick looks frustrated with his birdie putt that trickles past as Smith also makes par.

Harman breaks clear again

Friday 16 June 2023 00:43 , Ben Fleming

Harman -6 (10), English -4 (13), Johnson -3 (10)

Brian Harman moves out into solo third again after another good putt down the hill at the tenth. Elsewhere, there are birdies for Johnson and English who move to three and four under respectively.

Friday 16 June 2023 00:41 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -2 (12*), Harrington +2 (12*), Bradley +3 (12*)

Phil Mickelson made the turn at one under par but a nice wedge into the third and a slippery putt down the slope moves him back to two under. Harrington makes par to remain at two over while Bradley makes a much-needed birdie to get back to three over.

Clark joins McIlroy in third

Friday 16 June 2023 00:36 , Ben Fleming

Clark -5 (12)

A very nice round in the marking for Wyndham Clark as he rolls in another at 12. He joins McIlroy and Harman at five under.

Back-to-back birdies for Koepka

Friday 16 June 2023 00:33 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -5 (9), Koepka +1 (9), Matsuyama E (9)

It was an uncharacteristically slow start from the US PGA Champion but he responds in style with a birdie at eight before a sumptuous iron into the par-three ninth. He converts to move back to one over par.

McIlroy’s tee shot comes up short but it’s a solid two-putt to close out a thoroughly impressive front nine. Matsuyama also makes par and remains at level par.

Birdies for Smith and Fitz

Friday 16 June 2023 00:29 , Ben Fleming

Smith -2 (10), Bennett -2 (10), Fitzpatrick +1 (10)

That’s much more like it from Fitzpatrick. A great iron into the tenth and he converts from just over seven feet to get closer to even par. Cam Smith also hits one in close and makes his birdie to join Sam Bennett at two under.

Harris English sneaking under the radar

Friday 16 June 2023 00:25 , Ben Fleming

English -3 (12)

Harris English endured a tough 2022 with injury but has battled back well this year and has two top-five finishes in US Opens gone by. There were two bogeys in his first three holes but three in a row before the turn and another on 11 have him at -3 and a tie for sixth.

Defending champion makes the turn

Friday 16 June 2023 00:21 , Ben Fleming

Smith -1 (9), Bennett -2 (9), Fitzpatrick +2 (9)

No change for the trio a hole ahead of McIlroy and it concludes a disappointing front nine for Matt Fitzpatrick. The second nine is the harder of the two so he’ll have his work cut out to get back in and around level par.

Back-to-back birdies for McIlroy

Friday 16 June 2023 00:19 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -5 (8), Koepka +2 (8), Matsuyama E (8)

McIlroy has a 30-foot effort for eagle on the par-five eighth. It runs out of steam but it’s a tap-in birdie to move him alongside Brian Harman at five under par - he couldn’t have dreamt of a better start.

Koepka’s second flies over the green and nestles down in the greenside rough but it’s another tidy up and down from the American who converts for a much-needed birdie.

Matsuyama lays up and hits it in tight but he misses yet another look at birdie and remains at even par.

Harman into solo third

Friday 16 June 2023 00:14 , Ben Fleming

Harman -5 (8)

Brian Harman is certainly not one of the bigger hitters on tour but he has played well at the US Open previously, with a second-place finish in 2017.

Another birdie at the par-five eighth moves him to five under and just three back off the lead.

Friday 16 June 2023 00:12 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -1 (10*), Harrington +1 (10*), Bradley +3 (10*)

Mickelson lags a good putt down the slope on the tenth and knocks in for his par. Harrington dropped a couple of the previous hole but steadies the ship with par here. Bradley remains at three under with another par.

Smith back in the red

Friday 16 June 2023 00:02 , Ben Fleming

Smith -1 (8), Bennett -2 (8), Fitzpatrick +2 (8)

Cam Smith is one of the game’s better putters and he gives his long-range eagle a great look but it slides just past. A birdie, though, moves him back to one under. Bennett misses out with a very makeable birdie putt and makes par, as does Fitzpatrick who got himself in trouble off the tee.

Fourth birdie for McIlroy

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:57 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -4 (7), Koepka +3 (7), Matsuyama E (7)

It’s a mere tap-in and Rory makes no mistake - that was all set up by the delightful iron off the tee. He’s now into a tie for third and only four strokes off the early pacesetters.

Koepka does really well from the right rough to make his par while Matsuyama misses out on birdie and remains at even par.

Glorious from McIlroy on seven

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:50 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -3 (6), Koepka +3 (6), Matsuyama E (6)

The seventh is a mammoth par three but Rory is up for the challenge as he fires in a delightful four iron to just under three feet. That should be birdie number four for him.

Matsuyama also finds the putting surface but Koepka’s struggles continue as he flails one out to the right - he’ll have work to do to save his par.

Harman and Clark continue their charge

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:47 , Ben Fleming

Harman -4 (7), Clark -4 (9)

Another pair of birdies for these two Americans who move into a tie for third on their own. Plenty of birdies still out there it would seem.

Missed chances for McIlroy, another bogey for Koepa

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:44 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -3 (6), Koepka +3 (6), Matsuyama E (6)

The sixth hole offers the option of a lay-up but McIlroy takes on the par four in one. It comes up short but he gets a good break with the lie and he carves out a birdie opportunity. It’s a downhill putt but he just sets it off too far to the right and has to settle for par.

Brooks, meanwhile, goes way left off the tee and it leads to yet another bogey. Matsuyama misses a good look at birdie and has to settle for a par.

Topsy-turvy start for Fitzpatrick

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:37 , Ben Fleming

Smith E (7), Bennett -2 (7), Fitzpatrick +2 (7)

The defending champion made birdie on the sixth but a really poor shot out of the bunker the following hole leads to his third bogey of the day. Cam Smith also drops a shot and moves back to even par.

The hole belongs to Sam Bennett, though, who makes his second birdie in three holes to move up to two under par.

Mickelson drops back

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:27 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -1 (8*), Harrington -1 (8*), Bradley +3 (8*)

Mickelson is in trouble off the tee and can’t make his length par save to remain at one under. Harrington leaves his birdie effort short while Keegan Bradley makes another bogey - that’s not the start he would have wanted to the tournament.

Another birdie for McIlroy

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:23 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -3 (5), Koepka +2 (5), Matsuyama E (5)

This is fast becoming one of Rory’s best starts in recent major championship history. He’s shown the line somewhat from Brooks and pours one in down the hill to move into a tie for third at three under.

Matsuyama makes a good par save, as does Brooks, and the pair star at even and two over respectively.

Another hole in one

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:18 , Ben Fleming

Burns -2 (6*), Johnson -2 (6*), Mithcell -2 (6*)

The 15th has already produced a hole-in-one early today courtesy of Matthew Pavon and we have another in the afternoon wave. Sam Burns is the man as he launches his club into the air in celebration. The five-time PGA Tour winner moves to two under. He’s joined there by his playing partner Dustin Johnson who makes his second birdie in as many holes.

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:15 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -2 (7*), Harrington -1 (7*), Bradley +2 (7*)

Phil continues to plug away well as he nears the end of his first nine. Harrington has also started well as he makes par to stay at one under. Bradley can’t follow suit and makes bogey to move back to two over par.

Hardy and Clark up into third

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:05 , Ben Fleming

Hardy -3 (9*), Clark -3 (6)

More birdies forthcoming for these two - Hardy, in particular, does so in fantastic style with a monster putt from just under 60 feet.

Still plenty of birdies on offer in LACC this afternoon.

Another bogey for Brooks

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:04 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -2 (4), Koepka +2 (4), Matsuyama E (4)

Far from the start that the two-time US Open champion had in mind. He finds the right bunker off the tee but can’t manage to get up and down to save his par. Very early days but he’s now ten shots back off the lead as things stand.

McIlroy and Matsuyama’s tee shots end up short and left but both do well to get down in two from about 60 feet to make par.

Solid start from Smith

Thursday 15 June 2023 23:00 , Ben Fleming

Smith-1 (5), Bennett -1 (5), Fitzpatrick +2 (5)

A very solid start from the Open champion Cam Smith as he just misses out on a look for birdie at the fifth. He remains at one under and is joined there by Sam Bennett who makes his second birdie of the day. Fitzpatrick has steadied the ship somewhat with a third successive par.

Matsuyama bounces back at the third

Thursday 15 June 2023 22:45 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -2 (3), Koepka +1 (3), Matsuyama E (3)

McIlroy has another good look at birdie on the third but he gives it too much and it’s hit through the break and misses high on the right.

Koepka lags his putt up from distance to make par but it’s Hideki who makes ground at the third. He’s partially shown the line from Rory’s putt and the 2021 Masters champion makes no mistake to get back to even par.

Plenty of early movers this afternoon

Thursday 15 June 2023 22:39 , Ben Fleming

Hardy -2 (7*), Harman -2 (3), Mitchell -2 (4*)

The wind should pick up ever so slightly this afternoon which should make scoring a bit more difficult for those on the course now. Having said that there are still plenty of birdies out there and the American trio of Nick Hardy, Brian Harman and Keith Mitchell are showcasing just that.

All three sit in a tie for seventh at two under through after their opening few holes.

Classy recovery from Mickelson

Thursday 15 June 2023 22:35 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -2 (5*)

The most Phil Mickelson of pars on the par-five 14th. He’s in trouble down the left and can only hack his second further down the rough.

He eventually gets out before flying his fourth-shot approach from over 100 yards to just over 2 feet and makes par. Nice and easy.

Back-to-back birdies for Rory

Thursday 15 June 2023 22:31 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -2 (2), Koepka +1 (2), Matsuyama +1 (2)

Now this is how you start your first round at a major championship! A lovely right-to-left putt nestles in the hole from just over 12 feet and McIlroy has two birdies in as many holes. The perfect start.

Koepka hits a solid iron into the tee that flies over the hole but his birdie effort just drifts by. Matsuyama makes his par as well to remain at one over.

Another dropped shot for Fitzpatrick

Thursday 15 June 2023 22:23 , Ben Fleming

Smith-1 (2), Bennett E (2), Fitzpatrick +2 (2)

From bad to worse for the defending champion. Plenty of time to recover but a second successive bogey to start the day is far from ideal.

Sam Bennett - who has turned professional since his great run at the Masters in April - also makes bogey to drop back to level par. Cam Smith makes his par to remain at one under.

Opening-hole birdie for McIlroy

Thursday 15 June 2023 22:16 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -1 (1), Koepka +1 (1), Matsuyama +1 (1)

Just the start Rory would have been after. The Northern Irishman stripps one down the middle of the fairway and is on the green in two. His birdie putt threatens the hole but leaves him with work to do but he makes no mistake.

The same can’t be said for Koepka and Matsuyama who both find the left bunker off the tee. Brooks three puts while Hideki can’t get up and down from the greenside rough. A pair of bogeys for them.

Bogey at the last for Barjon

Thursday 15 June 2023 22:09 , Ben Fleming

Barjon -3 (67)

Solo third isn’t to be for the Frenchman as he’s unable to save par on his last hole after his tee shot came up well short. Still, a fantastic opening round from him here at LACC.

Fast start for Mickelson

Thursday 15 June 2023 22:08 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -2 (4*)

It’s the one major that has evaded the great Phil Mickelson - could a course like LACC that demands plenty of shotmaking and creativity provide another opportunity for the LIV golfer?

Well, he’s definitely started well with back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 and two under thru four holes.

Barjon up into third

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:58 , Ben Fleming

Barjon -4 (17*)

Scheffler and DeChambeau, step aside because the Frenchman’s in town! Paul Barjon makes no mistake on the par-five eighth to move into solo third.

Less than ideal start for Fitzpatrick

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:55 , Ben Fleming

Fitzpatrick +1 (1)

Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick is underway in the first round but he’s not off and running how he would have hoped. He’s in the bunker off the tee and a three-putt on the first green means it’s an opening-hole bogey on the par-five first.

Work to do for the Englishman.

McIlroy and Koepka underway shortly

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:53 , Ben Fleming

This late wave is certainly going to have to produce something quite special to match what we have just seen this morning in Los Angeles.

The group to watch is no doubt the trio of Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Hideki Matsuyama who tee off very shortly.

Si Woo Kim in contention

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:50 , Ben Fleming

SW Kim -3 (67)

With all that going on with Fowler and Schauffle, a few performances have snuck under the radar. One of those is South Korea’s Si Woo Kim who sits in a tie for third after a consummate round of 67.

Schauffle joins Fowler in the record books

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:43 , Ben Fleming

Rahm -1 (69), Schauffele -8 (62), Hovland -1 (69)

You wait 123 years for a 62 in the US Open and now we have two in the space of twenty minutes - remarkable!!

It’s a tentative effort from Xander down the slope on the par-three ninth but he knocks it in for par to complete a record-equalling round of 62. Like Fowler, he’s chasing his first major championship and he couldn’t have hoped for a better start to this year’s tournament.

Hovland and Rahm both sign off with pars to finish at one under - very tidy rounds from the pair of them.

Eagle for Clark

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:34 , Ben Fleming

Clark -2 (1)

Wyndham Clark has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the PGA Tour with his first victory at the Wells Fargo Championship and he’s off to a flyer her with an eagle putt from just over 30 feet.

Bogey at the last for Scheffler

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:32 , Ben Fleming

Homa -2 (68), Scheffler -3 (67), Morikawa +1 (71)

Scheffler’s putting woes come back to bite him as a three-putt at the last moves him back to three under par to end his round. Still, a hugely positive start to the tournament for the world number two as he chases his second major championship.

Homa knocks in for his par - he’s well-positioned too at two under - while Morikawa is by no means out of it at one over par.

Schauffele ties the lead

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:28 , Ben Fleming

Rahm -1 (17*), Schauffele -8 (17*), Hovland -1 (17*)

Well, well, well...Rickie Fowler set the US Open record a matter of minutes ago and Xander Schauffele has already tied him at the top.

He gets up and down from around the green on the par-five eight to make yet another birdie and he now has a chance to get to nine under and set the lowest score in men’s major championship history.

Both Rahm and Hovland move into the red with birdies as well.

US Open history for Rickie Fowler

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:18 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -8 (62)

What a moment for Rickie Fowler. It’s a great lag putt to close range on his final hole and the American knocks it in for par to finish at eight under and that is the lowest round in US Open history.

The world number 45 was in the wilderness for many years with his golf game but he’s had a fantastic year on the PGA Tour so far and now sits atop the leaderboard in California after ten birdies in his record-breaking opening round.

Take a bow!

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:13 , Ben Fleming

Rahm E (16*), Schauffele -7 (16*), Hovland E (16*)

Rickie might be stealing the headlines but Xander Schauffele is carving out an equally-impressive round of golf. A super tee shot into the par-three 16th leaves him just under six feet for birdie which he makes.

He’s got the par-five eighth coming up - could he also get to the record-breaking eight-under score?

Rahm and Hovland make par as the European pair remain at even.

Birdie chance goes by for Scheffler

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:10 , Ben Fleming

Homa -2 (17), Scheffler -4 (17), Morikawa +1 (17)

A good look at birdie for Scheffler on his penultimate hole...but it slides by on the left side. Homa and Morikawa also make par as the trio head up the last.

Another birdie for Fowler

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:06 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -8 (17*)

What on earth is happening out there at LACC? Fowler was in an awful spot off the tee but he manages to get back in the fairway before draining his tenth birdie of the day to move to eight under.

Should he make par at the last, it will be the first 62 in US Open history.

A birdie would give him the first round of 61 in men’s major championship history...

Rahm cuts a frustrated figure

Thursday 15 June 2023 21:00 , Ben Fleming

Rahm E (15*) , Schauffele -6 (15*), Hovland E (15*)

The Spaniard also snaps his club in anger off the tee when his ball appears to be heading right off the tee. It takes a healthy kick back into the fairway but he can’t make the medium-range birdie putt and you can see the frustration etched across his faith. Even par is by no means out of it, mind you.

Schauffle takes on the green in one but comes up short. A couple of hacks out of the rough and he’s able to make par - as does Hovland.

DeChambeau sets the clubhouse lead

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:57 , Ben Fleming

DeChambeau -3 (67)

A really solid first round for the American who makes par at the last to round out his opening round. Thee under par and solo fourth as things stand for the 2020 champion.

Fowler in a world of trouble

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:56 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -7 (16*)

Rickie goes way right off the tee on the eight and he’s down on the rocky surface past the rough. Thankfully for the leader, it’s a par five and he’s afforded the luxury of being able to hack out onto the fairway.

Back-to-back birdies for Scheffler

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:50 , Ben Fleming

Homa -2 (16), Scheffler -4 (16), Morikawa +1 (16)

From tee to green, Scheffler has been far and away the best player on the PGA Tour these last few months but the world number two has struggled to make it count on the greens.

It’s early days but another birdie on 16 moves him up into solo third at four under.

Homa misses his long-range birdie effort with Morikawa also making par.

DeChambeau up into second

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:46 , Ben Fleming

DeChambeau -3 (17*)

The 2020 US Open champion has enjoyed a good return to form after his T4 finish at the US PGA Championship last month.

His eagle effort on the eighth just misses but he knocks it in for a birdie to move into second at three under par.

Monster birdie putt for Schauffele

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:42 , Ben Fleming

Rahm E (14*) , Schauffele -6 (14*), Hovland E (14*)

Xander certainly isn’t keen to let Rickie run away with the lead and drains a 60-foot putt from off the green to move one shot back on six under.

Rahm’s birdie effort just misses on the right side while Hovland makes back-to-back bogeys to drop back to even par.

Another birdie for Fowler

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:34 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -7 (15*)

Rickie moves to seven under! He has just a 50-yard wedge into the sixth and uses the slop to bring it back to the hole. From there, the American converts for his ninth (!!) birdie of the day and he leads by two.

Homa and Scheffler ticking along nicely

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:29 , Ben Fleming

Homa -2 (15), Scheffler -3 (15), Morikawa +1 (15)

Max Homa knows his way around the course - he holds the course record after all - and the LA native is making a very solid start to this tournament.

He curls in a beautiful downhill effort from over 30 feet to make birdie at the par-three 15th and move to two under.

Scheffler also converts and he’s up to three under. Morikawa makes par to remain at one over.

Bogey for Hovland

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:21 , Ben Fleming

Rahm E (13*) , Schauffele -5 (13*), Hovland -1 (13*)

Three steps forward, one step back for Hovland. An eagle and a birdie are followed by a bogey after the Norwegian gets into trouble off the tee on the par-three fourth. He moves back to one under.

Rahm and Schauffele have work to do to save par but make no mistake.

Comfortable par for Fowler

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:17 , Ben Fleming

Fowler - 6 (14*), Woodland -2 (15)

Fowler’s long-range birdie effort slides on by but it’s a comfortable tap-in for a par. He remains at six under.

On the back nine, Woodland converts a right-to-left putt to make his second successive birdie. He’s now up into a tie for third.

Birdie for Hovland

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:13 , Ben Fleming

Rahm E (12*) , Schauffele -4 (12*), Hovland -2 (12*)

A double bogey on the par-five 14th wasn’t the best start to the opening round for Hovland but he’s battled back well since then. A hole out from the fairway for eagle came at the second and he’s now followed that up with a birdie on the third. He’s up to two under.

Rahm and Schauffele make par.

Woodland into the top ten

Thursday 15 June 2023 20:07 , Ben Fleming

Woodland -1 (14)

Gary Woodland was not a name on many people’s lips heading into this week but he knows how to get it done at this tournament.

The 2019 US Open champion knocks one in at 14 to move into the red and a tie for tenth.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:56 , Mike Jones

Consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17 for Ryan Gerard sees him drop to one-under but he stops the rot with a par on the last to end his opening round in the red.

He’s been hovering near the top of the leaderboard for most of the day and will be well placed for tomorrow’s round.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:52 , Mike Jones

A rare mistake off the tee on the fourth from Rickie Fowler sees him push one into the bunker off the right side of the green. He’s got a decent lie and flicks it onto the dancefloor getting the crowd very excited as the ball finishes an inch or so short of the hole.

He taps in for par with a rueful smile on his face.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:48 , Mike Jones

Xander Schauffele is closing in on Rickie Fowler. He gets a 16 footer to drop on the first to move to within two of the lead before following it up with another birdie on the second.

His next hole is the third which is playing as the easiest hole on the course today.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:45 , Mike Jones

Hole in one alert! France’s Matthieu Pavon attacks the par-3 15th and gets the perfect reward. Check out his ace right here:

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:39 , Mike Jones

Viktor Hovland moves into the red with an eagle on 11! He chips in from the fairway to pick up two shots and move within five shots of the lead at -1.

Five shots? That’s right, because Rickie Fowler has rolled another in on the third (his 12th) to move six under for the day.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:33 , Mike Jones

Consecutive bogeys for Jacob Solomon and he drops back to two-under. Meanwhile Scottie Scheffler is edging closer to the leader with a fine birdie on the 12th.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:24 , Mike Jones

Five for Rickie!

A simple tap-in takes his lead to two shots with the easy third hole still to play. He could finish the day six or seven under par at this rate.

He’s recorded seven birdies in 11 holes.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:21 , Mike Jones

Mac Meissner misses the chance to move within one shot of the lead as he slides a birdie putt on nine past the right side of the hole. The greens today have been rapid and a slight misread in pace can leave players in serious trouble.

Meissner’s pace was decent though and he walks away with par.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:16 , Mike Jones

Rickie Fowler is about to move to five under par. His approach shot on the second (his 11th hole) is superb. It kisses the edge of the green, skips onto the dancefloor and finishes a couple of feet from the hole to set up birdie.

Fowler is rocketing now. He’s in full flow and looks confident.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:13 , Mike Jones

Scottie Scheffler has largely been forgotten about after a difficult start to his round. He was one over after eight holes but back-to-back birdies sees him move into the red.

If he can get a run going then there’ll be a few nervous faces at the top of the leaderboard.

US Open 2023

Thursday 15 June 2023 19:09 , Mike Jones

Rickie Fowler finds the left greenside bunker on the 1st hole but has a nice lie and flicks it close to the hole to set up a birdie chance. His putting has been good all day and he knocks another in to earn a share of the lead!

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website