K.J. Choi rallies impressively

South Korean K. J. Choi opened the first round of the U.S. Open badly with a bogey at No. 1 and a double bogey at the very difficult 502-yard, par-4 second hole, which has been converted from an easy, downhill par-5. That might have rattled many players in Open conditions, but Choi responded with birdies at Nos. 4, 6, 9, 11 and, moments ago, 13.

The last birdie moved Choi into a tie for the lead at -2 with David Toms and Soren Kjeldsen. Another player to watch is England's Ian Poulter, who also recorded an early bogey at No. 2 before making birdies at Nos. 3 and 6 to make the turn at -1. Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington still are struggling along at +3 through 11 holes.