Sizzling Spaun melts Oakmonster!

Scheffler, McIlroy, DeChambeau wilt

- 

JJ Spaun matched the best first round in a US Open at Oakmont to grab a one-stroke lead after 18 holes while Scottie Scheffler and Rory Mcllroy were among many stars who struggled.

Spaun defied Oakmont’s fearsome reputation by conjuring a bogey-free, four-under par 66 — his lowest round in nine major championship starts.

The 34-year-old American equalled the lowest first round of any US Open at Oakmont, a 66 by American Andrew Landry in 2016, producing only the eighth bogey-free US Open round at the Pennsylvania club hosting for a record 10th time.

“I’m just overly pleased with how I started,” Spaun said. “I hit a lot of good shots and tried to capitalise on any birdie opportunities, which aren’t very many out here.

“But I scrambled really well, too, which is a huge component to playing well at a US Open, let alone shoot a bogey-free round.”