Fowler Joined By Schauffele In Setting Record US Open Low Of 62

2 years ago by Comments Off on Fowler Joined By Schauffele In Setting Record US Open Low Of 62

This week is the 50th anniversary of Johnnie Miller’s then record-setting round of 63 to capture the 1973 US Open.

Miller was honoured early in the week by the USGA, and speaking of that amazing final round at Oakmont.

Now a day later after Miller was honoured the record low score has been beaten.

Firstly, Rickie Fowler took possession of a new record US Open low of an eight-under 62 that included 10 birdies and two bogeys, but his ownership of the record lasted less than 30 minutes when he was joined atop of the board by fellow American Xander Schauffele with a similar score on day one of the 123rd hosting of the championship.

A Schauffele closing par, and in a round of eight birdies, tied Fowler in the lead.

There has been five rounds of 63 in a US Open since Miller’s achievement including Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf in 1980 and also Tommy Fleetwood producing a 63 in his final round in 2018.

Fowler was being interviewed by the waiting media, as Schauffele was making his way to his final, and with Fowler speaking of his delight and in his first US Open showing in three years.

“It was a great day. Got off to a nice start making 3 on 10 and just never really thought about a score or necessarily what I was trying to do out there,” said Fowler

“The first few days this week I wasn’t feeling very comfortable swinging and wasn’t making many putts or hitting very good putts, so continue to get work in on the course as well as in the practice area, and finally a couple things clicked a bit yesterday. Then it was more just go out, trust it, and let things happen.

“I knew there was birdies to be made out here, but you have to drive it well and get the ball in position first. Yeah, did that, and from there just managed our way around really well.”

Schauffele did have the chance to shoot a 61 though he was facing a 21-footer for birdie that was four feet shy of the cup.

“It’s not really what you expect playing a U.S. Open, said the Tokoyo Games winning hero.

“But monkey see, monkey do. Was just chasing Rickie up the leaderboard. Glad he was just in front of me”.

However, is a strange downplay of his achievement the 29-year old and winner of seven PGA Tour titles including last year’s Genesis Scottish Open, felt no significance in helping share a new slice of US Open history.

“I mean, I don’t know. It’s just Thursday. It’s literally just the first day of a tournament. It’s a good start”, he said.

 



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