Good start for OneAsia winners at U.S. Open
HONG KONG, June 14 - Two OneAsia winners were in the top three as a rain-interrupted first round of the U.S. Open was suspended because of bad light on Thursday evening in Pennsylvania on the east coast of the United States.
American Phil Mickelson was the leader at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania after shooting a three-under-par 67, but 2011 Volvo China Open winner Nicolas Colsaerts was second in the clubhouse following a 69 that included four birdies.
Rickie Fowler, who claimed his first professional victory at the Kolon Korea Open on OneAsia in 2011, had a share of third place after opening level par.
Eight OneAsia winners are in the field of the 113th edition of the tournament, with 2009 Australian Open title holder Adam Scott -- the reigning U.S. Masters champion -- at three under after 11 holes.
Pennsylvania is 13 hours behind Hong Kong.
Earlier this week Scott confirmed he would take part in November in OneAsia's Australian PGA Championship, presented by Coca-Cola.
Branden Grace, a winner on OneAsia at the 2012 Volvo China Open, was level par after seven holes, as was reigning Order of Merit champion Kim Bi-o after five.
Two-time OneAsia winner Bae Sang-moon was two over after six holes, while Geoff Ogilvy -- a former U.S. Open Champion who also won the Australian Open in 2010 -- was the same after 13.
Y.E. Yang, who has also won twice on the Asia-Pacific's most lucrative regional tour, struggled to a 77 and has a mountain to climb in the second round.
Colsaerts said the rain interruptions meant conditions kept changing.
"When we came out this morning the greens were lightning fast," he said.
"Obviously the break and the rain made it a little slower and the ball was sticking on the greens a little bit more."
The Belgian challenged in last year's U.S. Open before faltering in the final round, and said golf fans had not seen him at his best in 2013.
"I don't think I've really peaked anytime during the season. It's not very far off, but when you get to play courses that are pretty demanding, you know, anything can happen, just as is proven today, really."
Still, he was glad to get his round out of the way with dozens of players still on the course.
"Well, I'm relieved, of course. I didn't want to hang around for a long time. But then we know that we are probably going to finish the second round Saturday morning. In or out, whatever side of the draw you're on, you're going to have to deal with some issues."
Fowler said conditions meant the course played longer than the card.
"There's some nasty rough out there. It is short on the card, and it was playing soft today, which makes it play longer.
"And Thursday, you can't exactly win it, but you can definitely take yourself out of it. I feel like I'm in a good position, swinging well. It's nice to finally see a few putts go in. So I'm excited for the next round whenever we get to play."
