‘Knackered’ Faldo struggles in US Open

A “knackered” Nick Faldo today matched his worst-ever score in 88 major championships, slumping to an 11-over par 81 at the start of the United States Open.

But he was far from alone in suffering at Shinnecock Hills before play was suspended for the day with over a third of the 156-strong field unable to complete their first rounds following a thunderstorm and then fog.

David Duval had an 83 on his return from a break of over six months from golf and was joint last.

While Duval felt able to describe it as “an enormous victory” simply because he had enjoyed the experience – lack of fun was why he turned his back on the sport – Faldo could not say the same.

“That was no fun – I was slapping it around,” he commented as he headed for the practice round.

“I started feeling knackered yesterday and couldn’t get anything going. I’ve been doing a hell of a lot lately.”

Last week the 46-year-old took part in a 36-hole qualifier for the event, something he has not had to do for a major since 1976.

His 81 was his worst round – by two – in 18 US Opens dating back to his debut in 1984 and only at the Masters has he scored as badly. But in relation to par this was his worst-ever since Augusta National is a par 72.

Faldo bogeyed four of the first six holes and, after a solitary birdie on the controversial 189-yard next – “I deserve a prize for one there,” he stated - had six more bogeys and a double bogey at the 403-yard 15th.

It was not as if there was a strong wind blowing either, it was just a case of a course proving too tough.

Not so, however, for 50-year-old Jay Haas, who shot 66 to share the clubhouse lead with Japan’s Shigeki Maruyama and set himself up for the chance to become golf’s oldest-ever major winner.

Haas, nephew of former Masters champion Bob Goalby, and Maruyama were joined on four under in the afternoon by Angel Cabrera and the Argentinian, who turned in a brilliant 31, still has six holes to play.

Tiger Woods, playing with Maruyama, had had to be content with a 72, while Davis Love had two triple bogeys in a 76 and Ernie Els did well to finish with a 70 after a double bogey at the short 11th, his second hole, and then a bogey on the next.

Welshman Phillip Price, who played alongside Duval, also posted a 70 and was the best of the 19-strong European contingent.

Duval actually kicked off with a birdie, but things started to unravel for the 32-year-old, who has fallen from number one in the world in 1999 and Open champion three years ago to 434th, when he had to take a penalty drop off a badly hooked drive down the fourth.

He three-putted that for a double bogey, took seven down the 537-yard next and, after turning in 40 had a birdie, seven bogeys and a double bogey at the last to end the day 17 strokes behind Haas and Maruyama.

Yet, having decided only last Saturday he felt like making his comeback now, he stated: “I did a lot of things I wanted to do and, most importantly, I enjoyed being out there.

“It goes without saying I’m not tournament ready and add the US Open course in the mix it adds more shots to the score.

“I felt like I conducted myself well, which as you all know is very important to me, and I felt like I hit some really nice shots.

“I found my wife in the crowd a few times and waved. It was just nice – I stand here a blessed man. And I would like to hope that I will do this on a regular basis again.

“I took time off to try to feel like I was ready to play and to be excited to play. Next time I feel like I’m ready to play is when I’ll show up, but I’m going to play here tomorrow first.”

Haas, even though he is now eligible for Seniors Tour golf, is pushing hard for the Ryder Cup this season and it was therefore no great surprise to see him doing well.

“Bob (Goalby) has been my biggest fan and he’s been pumping me up telling me I can do this. I can’t tell you what it would mean,” he said.

Lee Westwood, two under at one point, bogeyed the last three holes for a 73 and thought part of the reason may be that pain-killers he had taken to combat a wrist injury suffered in practice were starting to wear off.

Price’s only two bogeys came as a result of three-putting and he was delighted by his start on a course he describes as “perfect for me – it’s not about power”.

Brian Davis also finished three over, while Sergio Garcia, winner of two of his last four events on the US Tour, had a 72 and Paul Casey and Ian Poulter shot 74.

Of the later starters Darren Clarke was two over after 14, Padraig Harrington three over with two to play and Justin Rose and Paul Lawrie both five over with five and three to go respectively.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh, like Els in with a chance of toppling Woods as world No 1 this weekend, stood two under when play was called off.

The storm held up proceedings for over two hours, but when the action resumed 19-year-old amateur Spencer Levin aced the 179-yard 17th and Miguel Angel Jimenez had a sextuple bogey nine on the 158-yard 11th to crash from three over to nine over.