U.S. Open — or a garden party?

LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Open used to be less of a golf tournament than a torture test, where birdies were rare, golfers were eternally frustrated and even the great Ben Hogan felt compelled to speak of a win by “bringing a monster to its knees.”

But the first round of the 2023 Open seemed more like a garden party at one of those estates near Los Angeles Country Club.

There were no monsters, just records.

The all-time low for a single round in an Open was broken twice in 15 minutes. After going unbroken for 50 years.

First Rickie Fowler shot 62, then almost before we blinked, so did Xander Schauffele.

“It’s not really what you expect playing in a U.S. Open,” said Schauffele.

Who knows what to expect in golf, a sport where even the best players seem bewildered by the new direction and what was known as the Royal and Ancient pastime now has been mortgaged to Saudi Arabia.

Well, we still know that the fewer strokes a golfer takes the better off he is, whatever the course  — Oakland Hills near Detroit, Hogan’s kneed monster or the previously untapped beauty of LACC’s North Course.

Collin Morikawa, who grew up in the L.A. Area before going to Cal, said earlier in the week, that the grass at the course might bother contestants, who are used to the kikuyu fairways at nearby Riviera, which they play every February in the event now called the Genesis.

Not so much.

Two 62s, eight-under par, and a spate of other low scores, including a 67 from Bryson DeChambeau who you wouldn’t figure had the accuracy needed at LACC — even though he did win a U.S. Open in 2020.

If very private LACC, amidst mansions, shopping centers and high price restaurants close to Beverly Hills, is unfamiliar to most in golf, the names on the leaderboard are the exact opposite.

Fowler has been touted ever since he turned pro years ago. Schauffele was the Tokyo Olympics champion. Both grew up in Southern California.

Dustin Johnson was up there. Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler as well. And even for a while love-him, despise-him, Phil Mickelson. If not the best in golf — and they certainly seem to be — then among the most recognized.

One way to judge the quality of a golf course is from the names of those in contention. LACC certainly eliminated any possible doubts on day one.

Which is something Fowler has a chance to do, finally winning the major that has eluded him since turning pro after a brilliant amateur career. In 2014, there were seconds in the U.S. and British Opens and a third in the PGA. After that Fowler lost his way.

“It’s been long and tough,” he conceded about the struggles. “But it makes it worth it being back to where we are now.”

Which is sharing the lead.

Schauffele spent time talking about the weather, classic California coastal June Gloom, which was interesting for a guy who grew up in San Diego.

“I’d say the sun didn’t come out, and it was misting in the morning,” said Schauffele, “so the greens held a little more moisture than anticipated for myself at least.”

And the record 62?

 “II mean, I don’t know, It’s just Thursday.”

 You can’t fool those golfers.