English golfer Justin Rose rode a red-hot putter to an opening round of six-under-par 65 and a one-shot lead at the U.S Open.
With near perfect conditions on the Monterey peninsula, little wind and soft greens, the Pebble Beach Golf Links was left to the mercy of the world's best.
Rose, the 2013 champion, birdied his final three holes to equal the U.S. Open lowest round at the course.
Jason Day - THIS IS NOT JASON DAY - IT'S MORGAN STANLEY PLEASE GET SOMEONE TO UPDATE THE PHOTO FILE.... Photo: Photosport
In the five previous U.S. Opens staged at Pebble Beach only six times had a golfer come within one of the record, but that number was nearly matched in a single round with Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Aaron Wise and South African Louis Oosthuizen all carding 66s.
Sitting two back at four-under 67 are Americans Scott Piercy and Nate Lashley, with eight more a shot further adrift including major winners Francesco Molinari of Italy, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy and Swede Henrik Stenson.
Tiger Woods and two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka turned in scrappy efforts to stay in contention.
While Koepka stumbled to the finish Woods held steady, limiting the damage from an early double-bogey by hitting back with two birdies and closing with 11 straight pars for a one-under 70.
Wellingon golfer Daniel Hillier. Photo: Photosport
New Zealand's Ryan Fox wasn't among those to make the most of the conditions however - he carded a three over par 74 leaving him in danger of not making the cut.
Wellington amateur Daniel Hillier fared similarly carding a five over 76.
