Southampton (US): Scott Piercy, so dejected with his practice form on the eve of the US Open that he quit after four holes, was a new man on Thursday in the first round.

Taming brutal conditions on a windswept morning at Shinnecock Hills, he recorded only two bogeys to earn a share of the clubhouse lead with Englishman Ian Poulter.

Out in the first group of the day, a strong westerly that whipped across the treeless layout proved no problem for the 39-year-old from Las Vegas, a far cry from what transpired 24 hours beforehand.

“I walked off the course because I was so frustrated with my preparation,” Piercy said.

“I was skanking it, and I lost five balls in the first four holes. But just went home, regrouped, tried to calm my mind down, figure out what makes my golf swing tick. I was able to kind of piece it together again.”

Earlier, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth were among the big names in action who faced a dramatic, windswept opening morning.

Any hopes that the Shinnecock Hills course would yield some good early scores proved unfounded as a strong wind blew from the moment the first groups teed off.

Englishman Justin Rose, the second favourite behind Dustin Johnson, also started smoothly, even par after 11 holes, but good scores were few and far between.

Tiger Woods had a late tee time with world No. 1 Johnson and No. 2 Justin Thomas. 

Reuters