Spaun Grabs Early US Open Lead, Kim One Shot Adrift on First Day

JJ Spaun seized command early in Thursday's first round of the US Open, defying Oakmont's fearsome reputation by firing a bogey-free four-under par 66 for a one-stroke lead.

- Agencies

OAKMONT: JJ Spaun seized command early in Thursday's first round of the US Open, defying Oakmont's fearsome reputation by firing a bogey-free four-under par 66 for a one-stroke lead. The 34-year-old American fired his lowest round in nine Major starts and matched the lowest first round of any US Open at Oakmont, the 66 by American Andrew Landry in 2016. "I knew it was going to be tough," Spaun said. "I just tried to grind it out."

Spaun started on the back nine, birdied four of his first eight holes, then parred his way to the clubhouse for only the eighth bogey-free US Open round at Oakmont, hosting for a record 10th time. "This is probably one of my better putting rounds all season," Spaun said.

In second place on three-under after back-to-back birdies at six and seven was South Korean Kim Si-woo through 16 holes.