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Soren Hansen led the charge in the morning of the US Open Championship International Sectional Qualifier at Walton Heath after opening with a five under par round of 67.
The Dane made six birdies around the New Course to sit at the top of the early leaderboard, with 13 places at Oakmont for next month’s second Major Championship of the year up for grabs at this one day, 36-hole shoot-out.
Hansen has not played the US Open since 2010, but the 42 year old has fond memories of tying for sixth in the tournament in 2009, and was hoping to draw on those as he targeted a return to the big time.
“I am delighted with my start,” he said. “I played really nicely this morning but there’s one more round to go so I’ll grab a bite to eat and off we go again.
“Conditions were tough, cold and windy, so to shoot five under par, it was a good round of golf.
“I think it’s a tough old day for everybody, no matter if you tee off early or tee off late. The wind is sweeping across the course and is quite strong.
“I really enjoy both courses here, I think they’re two of the most fantastic courses we ever play, and I think Walton Heath is a classy place.
“It would mean the world to me. It’s a special feeling when you’re there, it’s what I call ‘the Man’s Open’ because you’ve got to play really well there to have any success, so I would really enjoy to be back but there’s one more course still to be beaten.
“In 2009 at Bethpage Black I did well and I have good memories, so I would love to be back in the competition – it was a few years ago now, but let’s roll back those years.”
