Fowler, Schauffele lead US Open with record 62s, McIlroy in pursuit

LOS ANGELES :Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele shared the lead after a record-setting start to the U.S. Open on Thursday at Los Angeles Country Club where world number one Scottie Scheffler was among the closest pursuers in the clubhouse five shots back.

World number three Rory McIlroy went out late and was three shots back when he made the turn after covering his front nine in five under par, which left him level with Brian Harman, who was playing one group ahead of the Northern Irishman.

Fowler and world number six Schauffele fired matching eight-under-par 62s that marked the lowest round in U.S. Open history and equalled the lowest major round of all time.

A resurgent Fowler, making his first U.S. Open start since 2020, poured in a tournament-record 10 birdies to set the early pace and then waited to greet Schauffele, who was playing two groups behind, when the fellow American matched his score.

"I knew there was birdies to be made out here, but you have to drive it well and get the ball in position first," Fowler said. "Yeah, did that, and from there just managed our way around really well."

The 34-year-old American wasted little time making his move as he birdied his opening hole, the par-four 10th, and reached the turn in three-under 32 before a flawless trip through his closing nine holes during which he carded five birdies.

Schauffele, who has five top-10 finishes in his six U.S. Open starts, also got off to a flying start with three birdies across his first five holes while avoiding a bogey all day at an event that prides itself as being the toughest test in golf.

"It's not really what you expect playing a U.S. Open. But monkey see, monkey do," Schauffele said. "Was just chasing Rickie (Fowler) up the leaderboard.