Day one digest: 2021 U.S. Open Championship

Everything you need to know from day one in California.

Louis was left hanging, there was only two Molinaris, people were holing out from everywhere and it wasn't just the fans that were loud on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open Championship.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Louis leaps to the top

After 90 minutes were lost to a fog delay in the morning, it was always unlikely the first round would get completed in San Diego and so it proved. There were 36 players left to complete their rounds when darkness fell and one of them was co leader Louis Oosthuizen. The South African had made five birdies and a bogey to get to four under alongside clubhouse leader Russell Henley and was left with a 35 foot putt on his penultimate hole, with a par five to come. "I just enjoy playing really tough golf courses," he said. "I think somehow I focus a little bit better when I play those courses, knowing that the margin for error is really small."

Family affair for magnificent Molinaris

Prior to preparing for this week, the Molinari brothers had not seen each other for 18 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But with Francesco fit again and Edoardo playing his first Major since 2015, the duo teed it up in San Diego and both made a big impression on the west coast. Francesco carded an opening 68, while Edoardo signed for a 70 to leave both men under par and right in the mix. "We are both staying in the hotel," said Francesco. "It's been since Christmas 2019. Wasn't expecting the U.S. Open maybe to be the occasion but it was great to see him play well and qualify and nice to spend some time with him." Edoardo added: "I came a day early and I went to visit him Sunday in LA where he is now living with the family and we just had a good time. Then we played a practice round together on both Tuesday and Wednesday and we are going to go and have dinner tonight together. It's just nice to get the chance to speak with him, see him again and just spend time with him."

Rafa takes his chance

After being a regular at the Majors in recent seasons, Rafa Cabrera Bello needed to go to qualifying to make it into the field this week. He duly produced the goods in Columbus and then made the most of his opportunity, carding a 68 to sit at the right end of the leaderboard after 18 holes. "It was a good feeling when I qualified for the U.S. Open," he said. "I was very happy, obviously. I just did that like a couple Mondays ago, and I was happy because it's the U.S. Open, of course. I think it goes without saying. I also feel that when I play good, I don't miss a lot, and I think the U.S. Open suits people that hit it straight and then scramble good and good iron players. When my game is good, I think I can play good, and maybe today proves it a little."

No putters required

They were holing out from everywhere on Thursday.

Getting shirty

If the fans are back, you may as well give them something to look at. You're not going to miss these strolling down the fairway.