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Justin Rose leads the US Open...

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Justin Rose leads the US Open as Rory McIlroy hovers


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England's Justin Rose is the top dog after round one of the US Open.

The 2013 winner of the golfing major fired a 6 under par round of 65 at Pebble Beach to lead Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Louis Oosthuizen and Aaron Wise by one shot.

Conditions were benign in the opening round, allowing players the chance to take advantage of light winds and soft greens if they kept the ball in play.

It was solid putting that enabled Rose to steal a march on the field for now. He has major pedigree and is an Olympic champion, so he knows how to win.

Rory McIlroy bogeyed his opening hole, the 10th, but then made four birdies in the remainder of his round to post a 3 under 68.

All four of McIlroy's majors wins have had opening rounds in the 60's, so the County Down star is trending in the right direction.

2010 champion Graeme McDowell carded a 2 under par round, but there was disappointment for Shane Lowry, who slumped to a 4 over 75.

McDowell made two birdies, no bogeys and 16 pars in his effort.

Lowry's challenge is almost certainly over following a card which contained two double bogeys. It will be very disappointing for the Offaly native, who came into the US Open in such form.

World number one and defending champion Brooks Koepka carded a 2 under 69, while Tiger Woods posted a score of 1 under par.

For Woods, it was a curate's egg of a round, as he made a double bogey in a stretch of three birdies. He parred all holes on the back nine.

Among the other players under par, Open champion Francesco Molinari is 3 under, Spanish duo Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia are 2 under and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama is also on that mark.

McIlroy begins his US Open second round at 9.36pm Irish time, with McDowell and Lowry out at 9.58pm Irish time.

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