• US Open, Round One, What They Said

What They Said

ESPN will be providing live commentary during all four days of the US Open from Congressional CC - along with all the news, views and opinion when it gets underway on Thursday

Rory McIlroy, who blazed into the lead, said: "I felt good. To be honest it could have been two shots better but I will take 65. I played well and did not make any mistakes. I only missed one green and if you do that at a US Open you will play well. My preparation is pretty good. I tend to get here a week early, play my practice rounds and then rest. I am swinging the club well, working it well and felt comfortable as well and when you put all that together it is generally going to do well.

"I know now how to approach tomorrow. At Augusta it was all a bit new to me. I didn't know whether to be defensive or aggressive. I have a clear mind now and just need to stick to my game plan.

"It would mean a lot to me. Even though it's been a short career I feel I've had enough experiences and feel the time is right to go ahead and win my first major."

Sergio Garcia looked in decent touch with a 69 and he said: "I played pretty good. I hit a good shot on 18 but switched clubs in the rain and did not quite get there and three-putted. It was a nice round, I played nice. There were a couple of iffy decisions but other than that it was pretty good. I feel like I am hitting it well. I don't think it is great, but I hit a decent amount of good shots and overall it is pretty good. It is a good round to start with but there are three tough rounds to go."

Padraig Harrington, who posted a 71, said:"If you had offered that starting off I would have taken it. I knew it would be tough. I am disappointed with the score at the end of the day, especially bogeying the last. I did miss a few little putts and played some wayward shots but I did recover well and played some nice irons. I am still just struggling to find something. It is good in practice; if it falls into place it is good. 71 keeps me in position."

"Definitely the USGA over the last number of years, have set up fine golf courses, and know exactly -- they know what they need to do on the weekend and if necessary, if the scoring is too good, they will make it tougher.At the moment, today's, this morning is as easy as you're going to get."

Graeme McDowell, who began the defence of his title with a 70, said: "I am pretty happy with that. I am happy with the way I played. I drove the ball beautifully and it is key as you have to play from the fairway to have a chance. I had some chances and when I missed the greens I scrambled pretty well. It would have been nice to convert one or two of the chances, but it is a dream start really. I feel good this week. There has been a lot of talk about the past, but I wan t to look to the future now."

Stewart Cink, after a 70, said: "Yeah, the greens were receptive. They were still pretty firm, but the ball would stop. And, you know, with just a little bit of moisture in the grass makes a huge difference on a course like this. We had a little rain in the morning and it delayed the drying out process until probably about now. And if the wind keeps up -- we had it about as good as it's going to get."

Henrik Stenson found some form with a 70 and he said: "I am pleased with my performance. I hit a lot of great shots and if I had some putting form it would have been under par. I am pleased with the day's work."

YE Yang, after an excellent three-under, said: "I think, first of all, the course setup is a bit more to my advantage than the other previous US Opens. Also I've been playing a lot more conservatively this week and practiced a lot, played less bone head plays. So I try to make pars, less bogeys, and I've been lucky enough to make a few birdies. So I think overall the course and my conservative approach is helpful."

Ryan Palmer, who carded a 69, said: "It was nice to get under par, obviously, and shooting 60s the first day in the US Open. The biggest thing was hitting good tee shots that just went in the rough. I was able to still hit the greens, the way they've got the new rough. It gives the guys that hit good tee shots, they just run through the fairway a little bit and you can still play from there a little bit."

Robert Rock shrugged off red tape and jet lag to sign for a round of 70, saying: "Everything happened at four yesterday. I booked a flight at eight and landed at 11 last night in New York. I drove down and got here 3:30 this morning. It's probably not the best preparation but it's all I could do.

"It cost $1000 to get here in a cab but I can't argue. It's my first US Open and having played so well leading up to the Italian Open and winning it would be really disappointing to miss out on this. The organisers fast-tracked my visa through, my manager missed out so he'll be watching on TV."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.