Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele
Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele made headlines at the U.S. Open with their exceptional performances, both shooting a record-breaking 62 in the first round. Fowler, who had been struggling in recent years, showcased his resurgence by sinking an improbable birdie putt on the 18th hole to secure his U.S. Open-record round. He attributed his success to his improved putting skills and a new putter he acquired a few months ago. Fowler’s round included ten birdies and set the stage for a potential comeback in his career.
Shortly after Fowler’s achievement, Schauffele matched his record with a flawless round of his own, carding eight birdies without a single bogey. While Schauffele downplayed the accomplishment, citing favorable weather conditions, his strong ballstriking and precise putting played a crucial role in his exceptional performance.
The round of 62 had only been achieved once before in a major, by Branden Grace in the 2017 Open Championship. It was also just the third time an 8-under round had been recorded in U.S. Open history. Despite the remarkable feat, both Fowler and Schauffele remained grounded, emphasizing that it was just the first day of the tournament and there was still a long way to go.
For Fowler, who had experienced a prolonged period of setbacks, the record-breaking round held special significance, bringing him back into the spotlight and reigniting hopes for future success. With tougher course conditions expected in the coming days, the players anticipated higher scores and a more challenging competition ahead.
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