Poulter sharing lead at US Open after Day One
Ian Poulter has never won a major. A fact he won’t need to be reminded of, the 42-year-old hasn’t got closer than he did at the Open in 2008. Ten years on, he shares the lead at Shinniecock Hills after 18 holes.
A challenging round on Long Island was characterised by high winds, and serious frustration. Just four golfers managed to finish under par on the day, with Russell Henley, Dustin Johnson, and Scott Piercy joining Poulter at one-under.
Shinniecock last hosted the US Open in 2004 and was heavily criticised for the difficulty the course presented.
Poulter revealed he had struggled 14 years ago, but was feeling better about his chances this time around:
I did not enjoy it at all here in 2004 and through most of the US Opens it feels like you are pulling teeth,
It’s supposed to be tough but this week I’ve changed my mindset. I’m here to enjoy my golf, play freely and just go and play. It was brutal out there and I’m glad they have widened the fairways otherwise I don’t know what the scores would have been.
Elsewhere, nightmarish rounds for Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth resulted in the Irishman being stranded at 10-over-par, and the Texan hardly better at eight shots above par.