Bumpy greens affect scores at U.S. Open

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Bumpy greens affect scores at U.S. Open
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., (UPI) -- Shaun Micheel, Paul Casey and Brandon de Jonge survived the bumpy greens of Pebble Beach to share the lead Thursday after one round of the U.S. Open.

"The greens were awful," said Tiger Woods, who three-putted twice and turned in a score of 74 that left him five shots off the pace. "The ball was going everywhere. You couldn't leave yourself a second putt. We were talking about it all day."

"I putted horrific," chimed in Phil Mickelson, who struggled to a 75. "When I missed some of those five-footers, it was very frustrating."

Micheel, Casey and de Jonge all shot a 2-under 69 on the famed course that is hosting America's national golf championship for the fifth time. Micheel, winner of the 2003 PGA Championship, holed a 30-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole. Casey also birdied the 18th and de Jonge, a native of Zimbabwe who now lives in North Carolina, held on after firing a 3-under 32 on the front nine.

The group at 1-under 70, one shot off the lead, included Rafael Cabrera-Bello, K.J. Choi, Ian Poulter, former Masters champion Mike Weir and 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa, who shot a 58 during a tournament this year in his native Japan.

Luke Donald and David Toms were among those at 71 and the those at 72 included Zach Johnson, Tim Clark, Justin Leonard, Kenny Perry and former champion Jim Furyk.

There were 11 scores of 80 or higher. Michael Campbell and Geoff Ogilvy -- both of whom won this event during the last decade -- each had a 78.

Neither Woods nor Mickelson, the top two players in the world rankings, made a birdie. Mickelson bogeyed the 16th, 17th and 18th holes to complete his first nine and Woods bogeyed two of his final three holes.
 
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