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Tough US Open start for SA's Aiken

Cape Town - Thomas Aiken was the only South African able to get started at the US Open at Oakmont on Thursday as multiple weather delays made for a chaotic first round. 

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Little-known American Andrew Landry (-3 after 17 holes) clung to a one-shot lead when play was suspended for the day.

Only nine players finished their first round on Thursday and this field was led by 19-year-old American amateur Scottie Scheffler, who carded a one-under par 69.

Aiken, who played his first US Open last year, struggled on the unforgiving Oakmont course and was 7 over par after 15 holes and currently lies tied for 68th spot.

The six other South Africans in the field - Jaco van Zyl, Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen and Retief Goosen - were unable to start their first round due to the inclement weather.

Defending champion Jordan Spieth (+1 after 11 holes) and world No 3 Rory McIlroy (+4 after 13 holes) failed to gain much traction, and will only hope to turn things around when they return to finish their first rounds on Friday.

World No 1 Jason Day and five-time major-winner Phil Mickelson also didn't tee off as three separate delays halted play for more than four and a half hours.

Completed scores on Thursday in the weather-disrupted first round of the 116th US Open Golf Championship at Oakmont (Round to resume Friday, with 2nd round to follow) (a-denotes amateur):

69 - a-Scottie Scheffler (USA)

73 - Derek Fathauer (USA)

75 - Mikael Lundberg (SWE)

76 - Denny McCarthy, Aron Price (AUS), Andres Gonzales (USA), Mike Van Sickle (USA)

77 - a-Nick Hardy (USA)

78 - Tom Hoge (USA)

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