Adam Hadwin fires 66 to take first-round lead at U.S. Open

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Adam Hadwin will be excused for the opening spherical of the U.S. Open — the so-called hardest check in golf — giving him an opportunity to exhale.

Hadwin was dwelling in Canada final week for his personal nationwide open, an excellent greater deal as a result of the pandemic had canceled the Canadian Open the earlier two years and the golf-obsessed followers introduced huge power.

Plus, he has been immune from the limitless chatter and hypothesis of the Saudi-backed rival league that consumed consideration all week at The Nation Membership.

Small marvel he walked off Thursday with a 4-under 66 for his finest rating in 63 rounds at main championships and a 1-shot lead over Rory McIlroy and 4 others at 67: Callum Tarren of England, David Lingmerth of Sweden, MJ Daffue of South Africa and Joel Dahmen.

“Good to get down right here and a few days’ relaxation and get going for this week,” Hadwin stated. “Not that the golf course will get any simpler. However yeah, in sure cases it positively felt a bit extra relaxed than final week.”

On the reverse finish was Phil Mickelson, who celebrated his 52nd birthday — on the golf course, anyway — with a four-putt double bogey on his approach to a 78.

Hadwin ran off three straight birdies to complete the entrance 9 in 31, and he dropped only one shot on the again 9 for his 66. His earlier low rating in a serious was 68 on three events, most lately the primary spherical of the 2020 PGA Championship at Harding Park.

Even with a superb begin, it would not determine to be simple for Hadwin or anybody else. The Nation Membership may need been as accommodating because it will get all week, with reasonable wind and cloud cowl protecting the solar from making greens crispy and agency.

And the very best anybody may do was a 66.

The group at 68 included two-time main winner Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick, who received the U.S. Novice at Brookline in 2013.

No different main is extra open — roughly half the 156-man discipline has to qualify — and it confirmed. Seven of the highest 13 got here by way of qualifiers, together with Hadwin. He was first alternate out of the Dallas part and received in when Paul Casey withdrew due to an ailing again.

The Related Press contributed to this report.