Dylan Frittelli’s US Open debut came during one of the harshest days in recent Major history as the wind blew the field away at Shinnecock Hills, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Shinnecock Hills returned as US Open venue for the first time since the dramatic 2004 edition where greens were being watered in between groups on the final day. But on Thursday, the USGA could do little to intervene as the wind put paid to many hopefuls chances at the 118th staging of the national championship.
Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Martin Kaymer were among a list of Major champions to struggle around through Thursday’s play with Frittelli alongside the likes of Jordan Spieth and Ernie Els at +8.
‘It was, obviously, a really tough day,’ Frittelli told Compleat Golfer. ‘If you miss the fairway you are making bogey at least, so it’s hard not to have that play on your mind.’
The two-time European Tour winner hit just eight fairways on a brutal day for scoring in New York. The struggles on the tee combined with just nine greens hit in regulation capped off a tough round.
‘It was difficult getting off the tee and getting to the greens. The greens were actually okay and not too quick but it the wind swirling around that made it such a challenge.’
‘It could’ve been a lot worse, so I was happy with how I handled myself. I struggled on the back nine, the front half was actually good.
‘Hopefully, I can make a good start tomorrow on the back and then get through the front okay again.’
Summing it up, Frittelli admitted that the US Open was a challenge not played often before.
‘It was a unique golf experience. Every bad shot or break gets punished and you are always trying to hang in there. The wind makes sure you are never comfortable, so it’s a real grind.’
Frittelli starts round two at with amateur Doug Ghim (a) and Venezuelan Jhonnatan Vegas at 19:03.
Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
