US Open: Donald and Poulter shines on day one to take charge at Pebble Beach
Rafael Cabrera-Bello, a less popular Spaniard joined the English pair in their bid to become the first Atlantic winner since 1970 when Tony Jacklin won at at Hazeltine. Cabrera-Bello, Sim and Poulter were included among the list of players who ended up one under on 70 along with Donald who was a further shot away on a day when a majority of the players found it hard to carry on at the treacherous Pebble Beach.
The momentum gained this year on the U.S. Tour as Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Poulter accelerated in a stylish fashion where as Phil Mickelson along with a couple of other Americans could only bump their heads on the wall in frustration.
Donald's inspiring start was not the greatest of a shocker in spite of the fact that he has been under-rated on the U.S. Tour for long. His last victory came in 2006 when he triumphed at the Honda Classic.
Until this year, he had moved silently along with his lengthy game. Yet something has flicked for him this year.
Donald has been out of the scene for such a long period that so many people have forgotten that the man is the sixth best player in the world.
The course on the Monterey peninsula looks to favour Donald due to his speedy approach to the game of golf. He seemed completely confident and will have no justification to feel that he can't carry on his challenge with a positive frame of mind.
Fellow English player Poulter on the other hand has never been short of that trait.
Questioned earlier few days ago what it would take to tackle with being in the final slot of a grand slam event, even Poulter replied that he does not know as he has not been there so far. He has the same goals as well as the power as Donald. However, Poulter has also proved it to the world by entering the European invasion of the U.S. Open in February.
Poulter won the Accenture Match play title of the World Golf Champion ship prior to the victory of Mcllroy at Quali Hollow. That victory made him stood proudly but there is still no doubt that the 34-year-old Donald wishes to win the U.S. Open for the sixth time in his career.
He had preceded yesterday's early dominators Mike Weir as well as KJ Choi who made it to the three under to pull back to one under as the wind grabbed up.
Poulter remained confident and played brilliantly by belting down the two bogeys with just three birdies even when the former Canadian as well as the Korean Masters champion staggered in the final holes.
The improvement of Donald and Poulter was nothing but a shocker. However, Cabrera-Bello from the European delegation who is also one of the early dominators was merely believable but definitely a bright inclusion to the contest.
The 26-year-old Gran Canaria has not been talked much so far in spite of the fact that he won the Austrian Open in the previous season. However, contesting the U.S. Open for the first time ever looks like a new chapter for him and he still has to go a long way.
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