Ten Things to Know about Round 1 of the 123rd U.S. Open at LACC

Records were smashed on the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club on Thursday during the first round of the U.S. Open.

Here are 10 things to know about the opening round.

Number 10.    Both Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler broke the record for the lowest round in U.S. Open history (62). They also matched the lowest score for any round of any major championship. Branden Grace shot 62 in the third round of the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale CC.

Number 9.    Schauffele has finished among the top 15 in each of the last six U.S. Opens (T-5 at Erin Hills in 2017, T-6 at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, T-3 at Pebble Beach in 2019, 5th at Winged Foot in 2020, T-7 at Torrey Pines in 2021 and T-14 at The Country Club in 2022). It is the longest such streak at this championship since Lanny Wadkins had a six-year run like that from 1981-1986. The only players with a longer streak than Schauffele since 1920 are Jack Nicklaus (12, 1971-1982), Ben Hogan (12, 1940-1956), Sam Snead (9, 1947-1955) and Bobby Jones (11, 1920-1930).

Number 8:    Today marked the lowest first round scoring average in the history of the U.S. Open. Today’s stroke average was 71.38, which eclipsed the previous mark of 72.29 at Baltusrol GC in 1993.

Number 7:    Here are the lowest first-round scoring averages for all major championships: 

• 2021 Open Championship at Royal St. George's GC, 70.96 
• 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park, 71.12 
• 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, 71.19 
• 1993 Open Championship at Royal St. George's GC, 71.21 
• 2001 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club, 71.28 
• 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles CC 71.38.

Number 6.    Thursday marked the first time in U.S. Open history that no player shot 80 or higher in the first round of the championship.

Number 5:    The previous record for the most scores of 65 or better during one round of the U.S. Open was four, at the second round of the 2009 championship at Bethpage State Park. There were six such scores today. The previous most 65s in the first round of a US Open was two, in 1980, 2003 and 2015.

Number 4:    Thirty-seven players shot under par today, which is the fourth-highest first-round total at a U.S. Open, behind 2017 (44), 2019 (39) and 1990 (39).

Number 3:    Rory McIlroy, playing in his 58th major championship this week, matched the best 9-hole score (either front or back 9, any round) of his majors career. He shot 30 (-6) on the back nine of his first round of the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews. McIlroy shot 63 that day, taking the first-round lead. However, he would shoot himself out of contention in the second round with a score of 80. His previous best score for the first 9 holes of a major championship was 31, at last year's PGA Championship at Southern Hills. McIlroy went on to shoot 65 and held the first-round lead. Ultimately, he finished that championship in 8th place.

Number 2:    Most times shooting 65 or better in major championship play, all-time: Tiger Woods (10). Dustin Johnson (10, including today), Jack Nicklaus (9) and Rory McIlroy (8, including today).

Number 1:    Scottie Scheffler ranked outside the top 40 in strokes-gained-putting in each of his last eight rounds on the PGA TOUR with an average ranking of 77th, dating back to the start of the Charles Schwab Challenge in late May. He ranked just inside the top 30 in this category on Thursday (+1.486).