Course earning mixed reviews

The biggest unknown for players coming into this week's US Open was how they would fare on the different course set-ups at Chambers Bay - and Thursday's first round provided some answers.

While most of the 156-strong field felt the links-style layout was prepared on the generous side by the United States Golf Association, the slick and heavily contoured greens with their blotchy fescue grass posed all sorts of problems.

World No 1 Rory McIlroy, who opened with a two-over 72, was happy with his form from tee to green but far from complimentary about the condition of the putting surfaces.