Defending champion Rahm relishes 'great start' | Morikawa: I got a bit greedy

US Open defending champion Jon Rahm said he was very happy with his opening-round 69 at The Country Club in Brookline, with a birdie finish placing him two shots off the lead at one under par.

Rahm, who claimed his first major title with victory at Torrey Pines last year, called it "a big deal" to break par as he twice recovered from wayward tee shots on the final two holes of his round, holing a 20-foot putt for birdie on the last to see him into the red.

Asked how happy he was with the start to his US Open defence, Rahm told Sky Sports: "Very. Especially seeing that birdie on 18. That's always going to change a bit of the energy after the round.

"I played a really good first eight holes, besides the bogey on three, and then after that the wind picked up and it was a bit of a struggle. So to finish with that birdie, it's really confidence building."

Rahm, who was two under through eight holes, having birdied three of his previous four, elaborated further that at that stage he anticipated lower scores being shot in the opening round.

Rahm told reporters: "Honestly, the first five holes when we had no wind, I was thinking we're going to blow the roof off this place. Somebody is going to shoot six under, seven under if the wind doesn't pick up, right?

"When the crosswinds started coming, it was tough. Obviously, a well-designed golf course is always difficult."

Rahm went round the course with US amateur champion James Piot, as well as two-time major winner Collin Morikawa, with all three finishing one under for the round.

Morikawa, however, had a bogey finish at 18. Having at one stage held the lead at three under, the world No 7 said he "got a little greedy" at the last.

"Through nine holes I thought I was going to go a