Sacramento native Cameron Champ ‘not holding back’ in first round of U.S. Open

Cameron Champ’s first round in a professional event was a solid one.

The Texas A&M senior-to-be carded a 2-under-par 70 Thursday in the opening round of the U.S. Open at Erin Hills. The Sacramento native is tied for 18th, five strokes behind leader Rickie Fowler.

Champ is known for his long drives, and it was proven throughout the first round.

“This is a course where, for long hitters, I think you can thrive if you hit the fairway,” he told USGA’s Ron Driscoll before the tournament.

Champ, who turned 22 on Thursday, leads the field in driving distance at 349.4 yards after the first day.

“I was just being aggressive,” Champ told Golfweek’s Brentley Romine. “Probably the best I’ve hit my driver, honestly. … Every hole I’m not holding back. I’m just going to keep hitting it.”

Champ started his day on the 10th tee and had three birdies heading in. After a bogey on No. 1, he birdied Nos. 2 and 4 to get to 4-under, but bogeyed the next two holes before closing his round with three pars.

Champ is second among the field’s 14 amateurs. He’s one shot behind Scottie Scheffler.

He’ll tee off Friday at 12:31 p.m.

 

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This story was originally published June 15, 2017 at 7:08 PM with the headline "Sacramento native Cameron Champ ‘not holding back’ in first round of U.S. Open."