The Serve

Ogilvy makes steady start

Geoff Ogilvy, Australia’s defending U.S.Open champion, would be delighted at his position after opening round at the feared Oakmont albeit after an up and down round.

Ogilvy mixed four birdies with three bogeys and a double bogey on the par-3 eighth. Ogilby was -1 during the back nine before a shaky finish left him in a tie for fifth, three shots behind surprise leader Nick Dougherty.

Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh are lurking dangerously, joining Ogilvy at +1, along with Jim Furyk. Phil Mickelson, the man who virtually handed Ogilvy the title last year, is +4.

Aaron Baddeley and Marcus Fraser are the next best Australians at +2. Andrew Buckle acquitting himself nicely to be +3. Adam Scott did not bring his form from the PGA tour, shooting a disappointing 76 to be in the firing line for tomorrow’s cut.

 Steve Elkington has a horror round, parring just six times, sitting at 14 over and having just two players behind him

AUSTRALIANS