<p> Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson set the first-round pace at the US Open on Thursday on a day of remarkable highs and lows as Tiger Woods shot an 80, his fourth-worst score as a professional.<br /><br /></p>.<p>American Johnson and Swede Stenson fired matching five-under-par 65s on a firm and fast-running Chambers Bay layout while Phil Mickelson made an encouraging start with a 69.<br /><br />The long-hitting Johnson piled up six birdies and a lone bogey to finish level with Stenson, who birdied four of his last five holes at the British Open-style venue in the year's second major, being played for the first time in the Pacific Northwest.<br /><br />They were one stroke ahead of American Patrick Reed, while Americans Matt Kuchar, Ben Martin and amateur Brian Campbell trailed by two.<br /><br />"I hit the ball really well ... had a lot of good looks at birdie all day," Johnson, who like Stenson is seeking a first major title, told reporters.<br /><br />"It's firm but you could control your golf ball, for sure. Today I controlled my ball very well. The confidence is definitely there. I feel really good about where I'm at and going into tomorrow."<br /><br />Mickelson, who is yearning to complete a career Grand Slam of the four majors by winning his first US Open, was "very pleased" after a round that included four birdies and three bogeys.<br /><br />"I hit a lot of good shots today," Mickelson, a runner-up at the US Open a record six times, said. "I shot under par the first day of the US Open.<br /><br />It was an average morning for Northern Ireland's World No 1 Rory McIlroy. Seeking his fifth major victory, he birdied his second hole but never got into top gear as he struggled on the greens to return a 72.<br /><br />"I need to find a rhythm in my stroke over the next three days, work a bit on the putting green," said McIlroy. "Hopefully it will be better tomorrow."<br /><br />Masters champion Jordan Spieth, who played in the more difficult conditions of the afternoon as the course firmed up, was delighted to open with a 68.<br /><br />Poor start<br /><br />The Indian challenge got off to a disastrous start with both Shiv Kapur and Anirban Lahiri faltering. While Kapur carded two-over 72, Lahiri made five-over 75.<br /><br />Leading scores (after 18 holes, US unless mentioned): 65: Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson (Swe); 66: Patrick Reed; 67: Matt Kuchar, Ben Martin, Brian Campbell; 68: Cody Gribble, Jason Dufner, Jordan Spieth, Joost Luiten (Ned), Francesco Molinari (Ita), Marc Warren (Sco), Jason Day (Aus).<br /><br /></p>
<p> Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson set the first-round pace at the US Open on Thursday on a day of remarkable highs and lows as Tiger Woods shot an 80, his fourth-worst score as a professional.<br /><br /></p>.<p>American Johnson and Swede Stenson fired matching five-under-par 65s on a firm and fast-running Chambers Bay layout while Phil Mickelson made an encouraging start with a 69.<br /><br />The long-hitting Johnson piled up six birdies and a lone bogey to finish level with Stenson, who birdied four of his last five holes at the British Open-style venue in the year's second major, being played for the first time in the Pacific Northwest.<br /><br />They were one stroke ahead of American Patrick Reed, while Americans Matt Kuchar, Ben Martin and amateur Brian Campbell trailed by two.<br /><br />"I hit the ball really well ... had a lot of good looks at birdie all day," Johnson, who like Stenson is seeking a first major title, told reporters.<br /><br />"It's firm but you could control your golf ball, for sure. Today I controlled my ball very well. The confidence is definitely there. I feel really good about where I'm at and going into tomorrow."<br /><br />Mickelson, who is yearning to complete a career Grand Slam of the four majors by winning his first US Open, was "very pleased" after a round that included four birdies and three bogeys.<br /><br />"I hit a lot of good shots today," Mickelson, a runner-up at the US Open a record six times, said. "I shot under par the first day of the US Open.<br /><br />It was an average morning for Northern Ireland's World No 1 Rory McIlroy. Seeking his fifth major victory, he birdied his second hole but never got into top gear as he struggled on the greens to return a 72.<br /><br />"I need to find a rhythm in my stroke over the next three days, work a bit on the putting green," said McIlroy. "Hopefully it will be better tomorrow."<br /><br />Masters champion Jordan Spieth, who played in the more difficult conditions of the afternoon as the course firmed up, was delighted to open with a 68.<br /><br />Poor start<br /><br />The Indian challenge got off to a disastrous start with both Shiv Kapur and Anirban Lahiri faltering. While Kapur carded two-over 72, Lahiri made five-over 75.<br /><br />Leading scores (after 18 holes, US unless mentioned): 65: Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson (Swe); 66: Patrick Reed; 67: Matt Kuchar, Ben Martin, Brian Campbell; 68: Cody Gribble, Jason Dufner, Jordan Spieth, Joost Luiten (Ned), Francesco Molinari (Ita), Marc Warren (Sco), Jason Day (Aus).<br /><br /></p>