Sergio Garcia blasts Chambers Bay greens

• Players take a swipe at the Chambers Bay greens
• Sergio Garcia vented his frustration on Twitter
• McIlroy: “They’re not the best that I’ve putted on”

Sergio Garcia was among a host of players who blasted the state of the Chambers Bay greens after the opening round of the US Open.

The 35-year-old began his quest for a maiden major title with a level par round of 70 to sit comfortably in the better half of the leaderboard, but that didn’t stop the Spaniard taking a swipe at the greens, saying the players deserve better considering the stature of the tournament.

He took to Twitter to vent his frustrations, saying:

But it wasn’t just Sergio Garcia who criticised the putting surface at the Pacific Northwest course, which is hosting the US Open for the first time.

Colin Montgomerie, who posted a one-under-par opening round of 69, said on Sky Sports on Wednesday that: “The greens are extremely poor. A course of this demanding nature has to be in perfect condition. Unfortunately, it’s not.”

And speaking after his opening round on Sky Sports last night, where he popped into the commentary box around an hour after signing his scorecard, the 51-year-old said: “The 12th and 15th greens in particular are not up to US Open standard.”

Lee Westwood rather sarcastically tweeted:

But world No.1 Rory McIlroy was slightly more diplomatic in his assessment of the greens. Speaking after his two-over-par round of 72, he said: “They’re not the best that I’ve ever putted on. I still feel like if you make a good enough stroke and you have the right speed, there’s a good enough chance the ball will go in.”

Danny Willett tweeted:

Even co-leader Henrik Stenson took a pop at the putting surface. He said: “The putting green all week has been burnt. It was like a cricket pitch when we came here on Sunday.

“That one was definitely quicker than the greens on the course. There’s a few of them that are struggling a little bit, the first and fourth in particular are a little iffy and some other ones aren’t quite good.”

CONTINUES BELOW…

But it seems as though the greens did please some people. Enter fellow co-leader Dustin Johnson, who said: “It’s firm and the greens are at a really good speed. They’re real fine, a little bumpy, but it’s like that for everyone.

“Speed’s important so you can get those close tap-in pars. But I didn’t notice anything today. I thought they were all pretty similar.”

Chambers Bay greens :: Shambles?

What do you make of the thoughts of Sergio Garcia and other on the state of the Chambers Bay greens? Leave your thoughts below.