PGA Players Feel Betrayed By LIV Merger
California plays host to the third major of the golfing year as a strong field takes to the course at Los Angeles Country Club for the 2023 US Open this week.
It is the first time in 75 years that the US Open is being played in the city with LA Country Club hosting the event for the first time. A challenging layout is expected for the players with low scores unlikely as the Californian course looks to test the contenders across four demanding rounds.
Brooks Koepka is among the favourites to back up his victory in the US PGA Championship but will face stern competition from the likes of world no.1 Scottie Scheffler and Masters champion Jon Rahm. Rory McIlroy cannot be discounted while Matt Fitzpatrick will be hoping to produce his best golf as he bids to defend his US Open title.
The unexpected news of a merger between the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series and the PGA Tour only adds to the anticipation though it will be a while before the full ramifications of the merger are realised.
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US Open 2023
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US Open 2023
Consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17 for Ryan Gerard sees him drop to one-under but he stops the rot with a par on the last to end his opening round in the red.
He’s been hovering near the top of the leaderboard for most of the day and will be well placed for tomorrow’s round.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:56
US Open 2023
A rare mistake off the tee on the fourth from Rickie Fowler sees him push one into the bunker off the right side of the green. He’s got a decent lie and flicks it onto the dancefloor getting the crowd very excited as the ball finishes an inch or so short of the hole.
He taps in for par with a rueful smile on his face.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:52
US Open 2023
Xander Schauffele is closing in on Rickie Fowler. He gets a 16 footer to drop on the first to move to within two of the lead before following it up with another birdie on the second.
His next hole is the third which is playing as the easiest hole on the course today.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:48
US Open 2023
Hole in one alert! France’s Matthieu Pavon attacks the par-3 15th and gets the perfect reward. Check out his ace right here:
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:45
US Open 2023
Viktor Hovland moves into the red with an eagle on 11! He chips in from the fairway to pick up two shots and move within five shots of the lead at -1.
Five shots? That’s right, because Rickie Fowler has rolled another in on the third (his 12th) to move six under for the day.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:39
US Open 2023
Consecutive bogeys for Jacob Solomon and he drops back to two-under. Meanwhile Scottie Scheffler is edging closer to the leader with a fine birdie on the 12th.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:33
US Open 2023
A simple tap-in takes his lead to two shots with the easy third hole still to play. He could finish the day six or seven under par at this rate.
He’s recorded seven birdies in 11 holes.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:24
US Open 2023
Mac Meissner misses the chance to move within one shot of the lead as he slides a birdie putt on nine past the right side of the hole. The greens today have been rapid and a slight misread in pace can leave players in serious trouble.
Meissner’s pace was decent though and he walks away with par.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:21
US Open 2023
Rickie Fowler is about to move to five under par. His approach shot on the second (his 11th hole) is superb. It kisses the edge of the green, skips onto the dancefloor and finishes a couple of feet from the hole to set up birdie.
Fowler is rocketing now. He’s in full flow and looks confident.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:16
US Open 2023
Scottie Scheffler has largely been forgotten about after a difficult start to his round. He was one over after eight holes but back-to-back birdies sees him move into the red.
If he can get a run going then there’ll be a few nervous faces at the top of the leaderboard.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 19:13