Kiwi golfer Steven Alker has made a slow start to the US Open at Pinehurst after he shot a disappointing six-over 76 in the opening round to sit in a share of 122nd place.
The Web.com Tour regular came through sectional qualifying in California last week to secure a start in North Carolina but made three bogeys on the front and back nine today to sit 11 shots back from runaway leader Martin Kaymer.
Alker came in to the tournament, the site of Michael Campbell's US Open trimuph in 2005, in decent form having won the Cleveland Open on the Web.com Tour last weekend.
Kaymer, who won The Players Championship earlier this year, has a three-stroke lead over a collection of four players at two-under, while there's a group of 10 at one-under.
Alker, 42, will likely need to go under the card during his second round tomorrow if he wants to make the cut.
