#New York natives tee off first in US Open at Winged Foot

The powers that be at the USGA tapped into a cool story when the two players with local ties hit the first tee shots Thursday morning.

Danny Balin, a 38-year-old White Plains resident and the head pro at Fresh Meadow Country Club on Long Island, struck the first shot on the first tee at 6:50 a.m.

And 23-year-old Brandon Wu, who grew up in Scarsdale and played college golf at Stanford, struck the first tee shot on No. 10 at the same time.

“When they said ‘Scarsdale, New York,’ my heart skipped a beat,’’ Wu said after shooting a 4-over 74, nine shots behind first-round leader Justin Thomas. “I was pretty excited, and I hit the fairway, so that was a good start, too. I think that’s one I’ll remember for a long time. The first shot was going to be quite memorable.’’

Balin, who shot a 3-over 73 despite hitting only four fairways, has played in multiple PGA Championships, including last month at Harding Park in San Francisco, and is playing in his first U.S. Open. He called the first tee “nerve-racking.’’

“I think it was more just nerves and shaking, kind of playing in my first U.S. Open on my first hole,’’ he said. “It was 6:30 in the morning, I’ve got 4 iron into a par-3 [the 10th hole], which is very difficult. [My score] could have been a lot higher playing from the rough. Am I unhappy with my score? In one way, yes. In another way, no. I still shot 3-over in a U.S. Open playing from four fairways.’’

Balin made news earlier in the week when he invited Michael O’Keefe, the actor who played Danny Noonan in “Caddyshack,’’ to caddie for him in Monday and Tuesday’s practice rounds. O’Keefe, had joked that he was hoping Balin’s regular caddie got sick so he could caddie in the tournament.

“I got a bunch of text messages from him,’’ Balin said. “He’s a good man. It was a lot of fun.’’

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Thursday was a banner day for the amateurs in the field, led by 21-year-old John Pak, a Florida State All-American from Scotch Plains, N.J., who finished at 1-under.

“I got off to a good start; I was 2-under through nine,’’ Pak said. “I was pretty nervous on the first tee, but I was hitting the ball really good. This experience has been incredible. It’s everything I thought of. I’m learning a lot.’’

Davis Thompson, a 21-year-old All-American from University of Georgia, seized the early lead at 4-under par before three bogeys on his final six holes left him at 1-under for the day.

Eduard Rousaud, a 20-year-old Spaniard, had a magical start when he holed out for eagle from the fairway on his first hole of the day, No. 1. He failed to capitalize, though, and finished with a 76.

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Rory Sabbatini, who was the last player in the field when Sam Horsfield withdrew, shot a 1-under 69. He had it to as low as 3-under before faltering late and called his round “predominantly ugly with some flowers in between.’’

“I made the most out of a day that probably should have been a lot higher scoring for me,’’ the 44-year-old Sabbatini said.