2014 US Open: Most surprising Aussie opening round; Badds, Scott or Goss?
Martin Kaymer dominates the opening day of 2014 US Open with some surprising results for the Australians in the field.
A late back nine birdie blitz from Martin Kaymer saw the former world number one take a commanding three shot advantage after round one of the 2014 US Open.
2014 US Open Australian Scores (thru round 1)
Leader
-5 Kaymer
————
E Baddeley
+1 Goss (a), Senden
+3 Scott, Day, Ogilvy, Pampling
+4 Jones
+7 Watt
+8 Price
+9 Allenby
A softer, more receptive Pinehurst #2 saw better scoring than was expected but just 35 golfers got around in even par or better – and only one was an Australian.
Aaron Baddeley’s even par round was the best of the 11 Australians in the field. After an opening hole triple-bogey Badds bounced back with two consecutive birdies on the 4th and 5th holes to get himself back on track. Two consecutive bogey’s just a few holes later had Baddeley in a rut but it was a flawless back nine including three birdies managed to save what could have been a disastrous round.
Adam Scott didn’t look comfortable at all during his opening round. Four bogey’s and just the one birdie combined for a poor 3-over-par starts.
Scott arrived at Pinehurst saying his game was in the best shape it was all year, but we weren’t convinced. We’ve seen Scott come back from bad starts on a number of occasions this year so don’t be surprised if Scott gets himself back in touch with the leaders this time tomorrow.
Remarkably, the most experienced looking round came from amateur Oliver Goss.
After securing the leader amateur honours in his first major golf tournament at The Masters in April, Goss continues to shine on the big stage. At just 20-years of age, Goss had his round at 1-under through 10 holes before a double-bogey on the 11th moved him back over the card which he held on to through a series of pars down the stretch.
Brady Watt (+7), Aron Price (+8) and Robert Allenby (+9) look set to miss the cut after poor opening rounds.