US Open: Leader Justin Rose wary of the wind picking up after finding opening round a breeze
US Open leader Justin Rose believes it is unlikely there will be a repeat of Thursday’s low scores, with conditions at Pebble Beach set to become more testing.
Rose ended his round with three birdies, giving him a six-under-par score of 65, a shot clear of a chasing pack of four.
In the process, he equalled Tiger Woods’ record opening effort when he went on to trounce the field at Pebble Beach by 15 shots in 2000.
But ahead of today’s second round, Rose said: “I don’t think we’ve seen it under US Open conditions just yet.
“There was enough moisture in the course where quality shots were getting close to the hole and the breeze was just benign enough.
“Yesterday was the day you had to do something like that.
“I believe it could be more windy in the afternoon [for round two], that may dry out the course and firm up the greens. From this point, the USGA [who conduct the tournament] might let it go, so I’m glad I got off to a good start when the course was gettable.”
Rose, 38, had watched the early starters on TV and was inspired to take an aggressive approach from the outset after hearing of playing partner Woods’ record 65.
“I was definitely aware of it [the record],” he said. “Until I had that hot finish, I was grinding.
“I was watching the coverage earlier and Rickie Fowler had a putt from 15 feet and I heard this to tie Tiger Woods’ opening 65 from 2000. It was nice to do it in front of the man himself.”
The Briton picked up five birdies and an eagle on the sixth, with a solitary dropped shot on the eighth, in his bid for a second Major win to add to his US Open triumph six years ago.
Rory McIlroy, who is three strokes behind Rose following his 68 in ideal conditions, said he needed a good start to have any hopes of recording a fifth Major triumph.
The Northern Irishman, fresh from his victory at the Canadian Open where he hit an incredible final-round 61, agreed with his European Ryder Cup team-mate that the course would increasingly bite from today.
“You needed to shoot in the 60s [in the opening round],” said McIlroy. “And I only see the course getting harder as the week goes on.
“With two wins this year, I’m feeling good.”
Brooks Koepka, who is bidding to become only the second golfer following Scotland’s Willie Anderson to win the tournament three times in a row, is four off the lead, while Masters winner Woods is five adrift.
