Illinois, June 13: Scotland's Colin Montgomerie said he was pleased with his first-round efforts at the US Open, despite slipping back to one under with two bogeys in the last four holes.
Montgomerie, who has missed five cuts in the United States this year, opened with birdies on 12, 13 and at the first before taking six on the long sixth for a first-round 69. "Disappointing, but I would have taken 69 before the start and that's the important thing," he commented in the locker room, having decided not to give a more formal media interview.

"The crowd were great and I like the course."

He also attributed part of his return to form to the presence not only of coach Dennis Pugh, but also psychologist Hugh Mantle.



"Hugh and I have worked together for eight years and he knows me very well. we work as a team.



"However you want to disguise it, the last two weeks were not good and I am one of those people not ashamed to ask for help."



England's Brian Davis made a dramatic start to his US Open debut by making the fastest start in the tournament's history. The 28-year-old Londoner admitted he surprised himself when he began with an eagle and three birdies to lie five under par after four holes.



"I was in shock," said Davis, who qualified for the tournament last week. "The adrenalin was really flowing, but the main difference playing in an event like this is mentally. It really gets you and I lost my momentum."



Davis doubled-bogeyed the fifth hole to end his remarkable run and he finished with a one-over-par 71.



Padraig Harrington began his US Open challenge with a solid one-under-par 69, but said he was disappointed by his inability to stay focused.



"I played very solidly the first 14 holes," he said. "But I just lost focus on the last four holes. I hit a few wayward shots and lost my concentration a couple of times."



Justin Rose began his US Open debut by going to the turn in three-over-par 39, only to come home in a superb three-under 31.



"I am delighted with that because I am not playing well," said the 22-year-old. "I don't really know where the ball is going.



"I am proud of myself - I stayed patient and I have not been able to do that of late."


Bureau Report