Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts grabbed his best-ever start in a US Open firing a one under par 69 at Merion in Pennsylvania.

Colsaerts commenced his round from the 11th hole and had raced two two-under par with birdies at the 13th and 14th holes in the seasons second Major that was interupted early on by some three hours and 34 minutes.

Players were called from the course at 8.36am and just shortly before the storm front moved in to dump more rain on a championship layout that was soaked by some six inches of rain last week.

Nicolas Colsaerts produces his best-ever start in a US Open. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Colsaerts and his fellow early round competitors finally were able to restart their rounds at 12.10pm local time.

However the European Ryder Cup winning hero dropped shots at the 1st, 3rd and 5th holes before back-to-back birdies at the seventh and eighth holes before Colsaerts pared his closing three holes.

It is the Brussels-born golfer’s best US Open starting round in now three US Open appearances after shooting a first day 76 on debut in 2011 at Congressional and a day one 72 twelve months ago in San Francisco.

It left the double Race to Dubai winner in the clubhouse pleased with his effort to be then in second place and two shots behind American Phil Mickelson.

“It is cool, especially in big tournaments like this, when you see big names up against you,” he said.

“It feels good to play good on a big stage like this.

“I’m a decent ball striker, which is key on a US Open set-up. If it is soft the ball pretty much responds.

“I don’t think I’ve really peaked anytime during the season – it’s not very far off, but when you get to play courses that are pretty demanding, anything can happen, just as is proven today, really.

“I’m relieved, of course to have finished.  I didn’t want to hang around for a long time, but then we know that we are probably going to finish the second round Saturday morning. In or out, whatever side of the draw you’re on, you’re going to have to deal with some issues.”

Colsaerts is well-known for his length off the tee but the Brussels-born player confessed he had to curb his urge to ‘rip it’ on day one of the US Open.

“The key to playing this golf course is keeping it in play and while there is a par five or two where I would try to rip it, it’s just not hte moto of the day on the first day of a US Open,” said Colsaerts.

“My length off the tee can still be an advantage here but then, as I said, you have to keep it in play because if you hit it in rough … if you are just two steps in the rough it’s just a wedge out.

“So when you hit it as hard as I can it’s not that easy finding fairways so that brings in to play the players using hybrids and it means I will be using a lot of 3-irons.”

Colsaerts had wound-up his practice farewelling his coach who was returning to Europe and with coach remaking on Colsaets website -“It’s the best build up in Majors we had, Nicolas, you’re striking the ball better than ever and your short game is sharp, I can leave you and Vince in peace”.

Colsaerts continued saying:  “By the way, this golf is a masterpiece in architecture. No architect could have his diploma without studying this course. Now, Merion will bite you, that’s for sure! We are going to suffer, the greens are already faster, 13,2 on the stimpeter! Lightning fast…

“Tomorrow (Thursday) the forecast is horrible: rain and thunderstorms between 3 AM and 10 AM.

“Anyway, the wake up call is on 4.00 AM, we will leave at 4.45 to be at 5.15 at the course, practice, have breakfast and be at the shuttle 45 min before the start.

“We have to ride from the West course to the East course… 20 min transport…”