The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Hicks, Streelman in the van

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Saturday, Jun 14, 2008
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Hicks, Streelman in the van

SAN DIEGO: The dozen-deep galleries that followed the dream golf trio of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott at Thursday’s opening round of the U.S. Open would have been confident they were tracking a first round leader.

They would have been better off among the relative handful following Kevin Streelman or Justin Hicks. That pair, neither among the top 600 in world rankings, each shot 3-under 68 to take a one-shot lead after the opening day.

They were among 11 players who broke par at Torrey Pines. The world’s top three — Woods, Mickelson and Scott — were not among them.

In his comeback from knee surgery two months ago, Woods got a double bogey on the first hole — his first in 416 holes. He steadied to finish at a 1-over 72, four shots off the lead.

Streelman made a dream start to this major, saving par from everywhere and making enough birdies for a share of the lead.

“It’s been an incredible run on the PGA Tour thus far,” he said. “I don’t think what happened today has quite sunk in.”

Mickelson managed to reach both par 5s on the back in two, both times settling for birdie on his way to a 71.

Eclectic mix

Stranger still was the eclectic mix of players who managed to break par.

Hicks is No. 722 in the world ranking, Streelman No. 608. Right behind them was Eric Axley (No. 503). He shot 69 and was tied with Stuart Appleby, Rocco Mediate and former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.

Two-time U.S. Open champion Ernie Els was in the group at 70.

Defending champion Angel Cabrera didn’t make birdie until the 13th hole and shot 79. Sergio Garcia salvaged a 76.

Woods hooked his opening tee shot, chopped out of the rough, then hit a wedge that bounded over the green, leading to double bogey and plenty of murmurs.

He got to par with a 5-iron from a fairway bunker to two feet on the tough fourth hole, a tee shot that rolled down the ridge to five feet on the par-3 eighth, and two powerful swings on the 612-yard ninth to the collar of a bunker, from where he chipped to three feet for birdie.

There was no question his knee was hurting, but Woods would only say: “It’s a little sore.” — AP

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