Colin Montgomerie’s tilt at that elusive first major took a hammering on the Black Course at Bethpage today as he slumped to a five-over par 75.
Montgomerie came into the US Open in fine fettle, brimming with confidence after displaying encouraging form in Europe recently and hopeful of claiming a major title to crown an illustrious career.
And the man who once vowed never to play on American soil again after a series of torrid experiences Stateside was receiving a warm reception from the crowd with many sporting the "Be Nice To Monty" badges issued by an golf magazine in an attempt to discourage the heckles that have plagued him in the US.
But Montgoemerie can sometimes prove to be his own worst enemy and three early bogeys set the scene for a poor first round. The Scot paid a price for missing the fairway at the 11th - his second - and then three-putted both the 12th and 15th.
After getting a shot back at the fifth he crumbled, bogeying three of the remaining four holes to slip to a 75.
Montgomerie attributed his performance to his frailty with the putter, saying: "I didn't putt very well and that's why it was as bad as it was.
"I missed everything and that's really disappointing considering the way I've been putting for the last month. You can't compete putting like that."
Quizzed as to how the crowd had responded to the "Be Nice To Monty" badges issued by Golf Digest, he said: "OK, but I wish Monty was being nicer to himself by holing putts. But never mind."
There were no such problems for Padraig Harrington who made an assured start to his campaign, carding a level par 70 to lie just two shots off the early lead.
After taking on the longest course in US Open history, Harrington was pleased with his morning’s work, a birdie at the last adding an extra spring to his step.
"Lunch will taste a lot sweeter now," he quipped, referring to the birdie. "I felt I played well enough for level par and deserved the score."
Paul McGinley, the second of three Irish contenders to take to the course, is holding his own around the New York parkland at level par after seven holes, while Darren Clarke, playing alongside Tiger Woods, has endured a disappointing start, dropping shots at his opening two holes.
Sergio Garcia holds the early clubhouse lead, a two-under par 68 good enough to top the leaderboard, and he has been joined by David Toms out on the course.
"It's an unbelievable course," Garcia said. "It asks for everything in your bag."