 The talented Davies is a college golf star in the US |
Welsh amateur Rhys Davies made the most of his early tee time to post a very respectable four-over-par 74 in his first round of major championship golf. Davies, a three-time first-team All-American at East Tennessee State University, qualified for the US Open by winning a qualifier last month.
And the Bridgend-born player was not at all overawed by the US Open challenge.
"It was a great experience. Big galleries and lots of applauding and it was good fun out there," Davies said.
"I came here quite open-minded and you hit any good shot and the crowd are right behind you and any putt goes in and the crowd really appreciate it. That's nice to feel and get involved with."
Davies started with a bogey at the 10th but bounced back to birdie the 667-yard par-five 12th.
 | It was a lot of fun out there today - it's a great experience |
"I parred my second and I felt comfortable with that, but that birdie helped," Davies added. Out early, Davies saw Oakmont at its most forgiving as rain on Wednesday night made the testing greens more receptive.
"The greens were a little softer and that caught me out on the first hole," he said. "The last nine the breeze picked up a bit and you feel a little more nervous but I am not too disappointed.
"I have always thought I could have a good result and I am not getting ahead of myself. I just want to go out with the same attitude tomorrow and hope to have another good score."
Despite dropping three shots in his last three holes, Davies outplayed established European stars like Sergio Garcia (79) and Colin Montgomerie (76).
He also scored considerably better than US Amateur champion, Scotland's Richie Ramsay, who played with Tiger Woods and defending champion Geoff Ogilvy.
Ramsay carded an eight-over 78 but did not seem too disheartened by the experience.
"It was a lot of fun out there today and the course made it even better the way it's set up," Ramsay said. "It's a great experience."
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