Cameron Smith cut a frustrating figure after a disappointing start to the US Open in Boston.
Smith finished at two-over-par after a 72 at The Country Club at Brookline left him six shots behind first-round leader Adam Hadwin.
Canadian Hadwin posted a 66 at the par 70 course to lead the year’s third Major at four under, with five players at three under including four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy (67).
World No.6 Smith is Australia’s top-ranked player at the US Open but struggled in the windy afternoon conditions at the difficult Country Club, beginning with three bogeys and a birdie on his opening nine holes having started his round at the 10th.
Two bogeys and two birdies made an even par back nine, but at two over Smith is still well in the mix.
Still, he was frustrated.
“I hit a lot of good shots into greens and ended up with 60 footers for birdie,” he told Australian Golf Digest after the round. “It was a tough challenge out there and a frustrating day, really.”
Smith said he wouldn’t change too much for the second round, when he’ll play again with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka.
The 28-year-old will just take extra care with the wind and shot selection on approaches.
“If I do more of the same today, and pay more attention the wind direction hopefully it’ll be a completely different day,” he said.
Adam Scott (69) was the leading Australian at one under, while Marc Leishman was even par.
Major debutant Todd Sinnott was one over, while Perth native Min Woo Lee was three over and Lucas Herbert was four over. Young Queenslander Jed Morgan struggled to an 82 (12 over).
