DETROIT (WXYZ) — Two U.S. Open winners who were among the biggest names coming to Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic didn't have the start they were looking for following the first round.
World No. 2 Dustin Johnson had to birdie the final two holes to get to -1, tied for 102nd for the day while 2019 U.S. Open winner Gary Woodland struggled all day to finish +1 and tied for 130th.
Johnson struggled on the par 3s at the historic Detroit Golf Club, double bogeying two of them on the 5th hole and on the 11th hole.
"Probably the difficult part of the course is the par 3s and I just didn't, I hit some poor shots," Johnson told the media following his round.
"Other than that, it was an okay round," he added. "Just the two par 3s, two doubles. If I par those two holes, it's a decent day."
Dustin Johnson on his opening round 71 (-1): “It wasn’t very good.”@RocketClassic @DGCGolfClub pic.twitter.com/jxxecYFasd
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 27, 2019
Despite not hitting the par 3s, Johnson praised the course, saying it's in great shape and a fun one to play.
Woodland would made bogey on six of the first 11 holes but bounced back late in the round to make birdie on four of the last six holes.
"I was off from the start," Woodland said. "Probably had the best warm-up session of the year, was great on the range. My timing was off. I was really excited to play today. I was excited to be out there."
Gary Woodland shot 1-over 73 to open the @RocketClassic, his first round since winning the US Open.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 27, 2019
“I definitely didn’t prepare as much as I liked to.” pic.twitter.com/dKb5v7r57M
Woodland also praised the Detroit fans, who haven't had a PGA Tour event in the city before, and haven't had a tournament in Michigan since 2009.
"The energy, the fans were amazing. Crowds were huge, which was awesome," Woodland added. "Today the energy was amazing, very positive, so it's great. They showed up to support this tournament and it's fun to be here."
This is Woodland's first event since winning the U.S. Open two weeks ago in Pebble Beach.
He will tee off at the 10th hole on Friday at 7:25 a.m. with Brandt Snedeker and Keith Mitchell, while Johnson will tee of right after them at 7:35 a.m. with Patrick Reed and Chez Reavie.
Nate Lashley is currently leading the tournament at -9.
