Woods impresses in opening round

the prowl: Tiger Woods, pictured with caddie Joe LaCava, is in the hunt for his 15th major title

Selected scores: -4 M Thompson; -1 T Woods, D Toms, N Watney, J Rose, G McDowell; Par B Hossler, J Bohn, J Park, R Karlsson, A Presnell, I Pulter, M Kuchar, J Furyk. Others: +2 R Fowler; +3 L Westwood, S Garcia; +4 M Warren; +7 M Laird, R McIlroy; +9 L Donald

Tiger Woods fired an impressive one-under-par 69 in the opening round of the US Open, as unheralded compatriot Michael Thompson left the rest of the field in his wake with a four-under 66 to lead by three shots at the Olympic Club.

Woods, seeking his 15th major title and first since the 2008 US Open, was one of only six players to break par on the first day as the brutally difficult course bared all of its teeth.

The marquee British trio of defending champion Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald all struggled, firing rounds of 77, 73 and 79 respectively and managing only three birdies between them, whilst other pre-tournament favourites toiled in the tough conditions.

Playing alongside Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson, Woods was out early and perhaps benefited from the best of the conditions as the course – particularly the already fast greens – firmed up as the day went on.

And, after a round containing three birdies and just two dropped shots, the former world No.1 declared himself happy with his day’s work.

“I played well. I felt like I had control of my game all day and stuck to my game plan,” said Woods, who hit ten out of 14 fairways. “I was very pleased with every facet of my game and I stayed very patient.”

How Woods handles the afternoon conditions in the second round, as a later starter, will perhaps give a clearer indication of how good his prospects are of taking a step closer to emulating Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major wins.

To do so, he will need to rein in Thompson, a qualifier who reached the final of the US Amateur Championship at the same course five years ago. Two-over after six holes, the 27-year-old reeled off six birdies thereafter to take command of the tournament.

Declaring Olympic “one of my favourite golf courses”, the second-year PGA Tour player said: “It’s better than I could have envisioned. I would have taken even par.  I probably would have taken two-over. It’s a US Open. Right around even is going to win.”

A disappointed McIlroy declaired his opening round: “It wasn’t my greatest day, but hopefully I can come out and try and shoot a good one and at least try to be here for the weekend.”

Scotland’s Marc Warren, playing in his first major, shot a decent four-over 74, whilst fellow countryman Martin Laird struggled to a 77.