United States Open: Canadian Adam Hadwin in the lead

Canadian Adam Hadwin wowed by finishing day one of the U.S. Open atop the standings Thursday in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Hadwin, who won just one PGA Tour event five years ago, turned in a 66 (-4) to lead the pack. It was his career-best showing at a major tournament, having set his previous mark of 68 at the 2020 Players Championship.

To do so, Hadwin birdied five in the front nine and only committed two bogeys, at the third and 12th pennants.

A staunch defender for the PGA in its clash against the new LIV golf tour, Rory McIlroy tied for second with a game of 67 (-3). England’s Callum Tarren, Sweden’s David Lingmerth, American Joel Dahmen and South Africa’s MJ Daffue also dropped three shots from par.

In addition, players who joined the LIV circuit received permission to participate in major tournaments and were thus in the game. Dustin Johnson (-2) did very well, while Bryson DeChambeau (+1) had better rounds. The day, however, looked like a nightmare for Phil Mickelson (+8), Louis Oosthuizen (+7) and Kevin Na (+5), to name a few deserters from the PGA.

Hadwin and others

Other representatives of the maple leaf have not been as successful as Hadwin. Corey Conners took the 42nd echelon by virtue of a card of 71 (+1), while Mackenzie Hughes and Ben Silverman played 72 (+2).

Nick Taylor (+3) and Roger Sloan (+6) will have to outdo themselves to avoid the ax and reach the weekend rounds.

A modest start for Maude-Aimée Leblanc in Michigan

Quebec’s Maude-Aimée Leblanc struck out two par during the first round of the Meijer Classic in Belmont, Michigan; an honest result, but which already places her far from the leading group.

After a choppy United States Open, the Sherbrooke native started the first round like a lioness by scoring two birdies on the first four pennants of the back nine. She had a lackluster day thereafter, slicing two more shots from par but committing two bogeys. Leblanc thus tied for 45th place (-2).

This performance puts her far behind the leader, American Jennifer Kupcho, who shot 63 (-9). The latter had no less than six birdies on the nine of the fairway, in addition to having scored an eagle on the 14th.

Four other golfers hit the ball 65 times or less during the day, including Gerina Mendoza, who finished second at -8.

The Canadian Brooke M. Henderson was placed in a good position thanks to a card of 68 (-4). She never faulted and managed an eagle at the 18th flag, allowing her to settle in the 15th rung tied.

The only other representative of the Maple Leaf in the running, Alena Sharp, could not avoid the ax established at -1 since she played par.