The world's top three players struggled in the first round of the 111th US Open at Congressional Country club here on Thursday while lesser lights set the pace. World No 1 Luke Donald, No 2 Lee Westwood and No 3 Martin Kaymer all opened solidly enough at the devlish par-three 10th.
But, playing in the same grouping, they were all soon in trouble, especially Englishman Donald, who dropped six stroke in six holes from the 13th. He battled back with a birdie at the first, his 10th hole, but was three-over through 14 holes. Germany's Kaymer, who has struggled for form since the Masters in April, fared no better, going out in one-over par 36 and then dropping strokes at the first and third to also stand at three over.
Westwood was also out in 36, and a birdie at the second brought him to level par, but bogeys at the third and fourth set him back at two over. Out on the course, Ryan Palmer of the United States was three under through 11 holes with Sweden's Johan Edfors two under through 13 holes and American Jeff Overton level with him through 12. For the first time since he made his debut as an amateur in 1995, there was no Tiger Woods at the US Open, serious knee and tendon injuries sustained at the Masters in April having ruled him out this time around.
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