General / Editor / 15 June 2007 /

England's Nick Dougherty will head into the second round of the 107th US Open at Oakmont leading the field after an impressive opening two-under-par 68.

The 25-year-old from Liverpool took advantage of slightly softer conditions in his early tee-off time, after rain on Wednesday, to be one of only two players to break par in the first round.

No Englishman has claimed victory at this tournament for 37 years, since Tony Jacklin triumphed at Hazeltine National way back in 1970, Dougherty though - playing in only his third US Open - may have other ideas over the weekend.

The former Walker Cup player is being tracked at the top of the leaderboard by Argentina's Angel Cabrera, while fellow Brit Justin Rose is in a group of 16 players on +1 after posting a commendable 71.

The impressive Rose, who finished joint fifth at his first US Open appearance in 2003, is desperate to build on his decent showing at the Masters and feels that Augusta experience will stand him in good stead. It could have been better though for the 26- year-old had he not ruined a card featuring five birdies, by collecting three bogeys and a double-bogey.

But Dougherty, who will tee off at 6:03 pm (BST) on day two, for now has the advantage and can be backed at 48 to be crowned 2007 US Open Champion. The Nick Faldo protege is trading at 8.8 to finish in the top five come Sunday.

There's no shortage of talent though lining up to challenge Dougherty, including Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal and big-hitting American Bubba Watson, who are both on level par.

The ominous shadow of world number one Tiger Woods is looming large, with the Open champion among the big group on one-over-par.

Woods, bidding for his third US Open title was hardly prolific on the opening day, closing with 71. He is level with another Englishman Ian Poulter, fellow Americans Jim Furyk, Olin Browne, world number seven Vijay Singh and former British Open winner Ben Curtis, together with defending champion Geoff Ogilvy of Australia and Spaniard Pablo Martin, playing only his second event as a professional.

But the steady 71 from Woods, now priced at 3.55 for victory, certainly puts him in contention for an assault over the remaining three days, although he was forced to rally late on to rescue his round.

The 12-time Major winner might have left himself with mountain to climb had he not saved par with a tricky eight-footer at the par-three 16th, before claiming birdie at the par-four 17th, and getting up and down when under pressure for par at the 18th.

That, perhaps ominously for Dougherty and company, has left Woods still very much in the shake up to add to his previous US Open successes at Pebble Beach in 2000 and at Bethpage Black in 2002.

Woods will be undoubtedly be determined to make the most of his appearance here, after admitting the likelihood is he will miss the Open Championship at Carnoustie next month due to the impending birth of his first child.

Three-time major winner Phil Mickelson, had an uncomfortable opening day as he battled with a wrist injury that forced him to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament a fortnight back.

The left-hander - among the late starters - could only manage a brave four-over par 74 and he is now on offer at 85 to win his first US Open, having traded as low as 8 before the tournament.

Colin Montgomerie disappointed on his return to the US Open. Just 12 months ago the big Scot was threatening to claim his first major title at the 58th time of asking, only to double-bogey the 18th and hand the victory to Ogilvy.

Seemingly low on confidence in 2007, Monty started brightly with a birdie but lightening appeared to strike twice as he ended the day with two bogeys that left him with a six-over 76 tally, eight off the leader. The Scot is trading at 1.8 to make the cut for the weekend.

It was certainly a more memorable day for fellow Scot Richard Ramsey. The amateur qualifier from Aberdeen opened with a credible eight-over 78, but now faces a fight to make the midway cut that.

The incentive for Ramsey is that he'll tee up with Woods and defending champ Ogilvy for their 6:36pm start (BST) on Friday.

That's the challenge then for the young Briton, but for another, in the shape of Dougherty, there's a much bigger prize in sight.

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