2017 U.S. Open Leaderboard Update: Rickie Fowler off to fast start at Erin Hills

ERIN, Wis. -- Rickie Fowler birdied seven holes for an opening-round 7-under-par 65 to claim a two-stroke lead over three competitors following the morning wave of players on Thursday at the U.S. Open at Erin Hills.

Fowler's opening salvo tied a PGA record for the lowest score to par in the first round of a U.S. Open, matching Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf, who each shot a 7-under 63 in 1980 at Baltustrol Golf Club.

Fowler strung together three straight birdies starting with the par-5 18th hole before he made the turn and birdied the first and second holes. Fowler also had a birdie on the par-5 seventh hole before finishing with back-to-back pars as rain earlier this week softened greens and allowed for more room for error on the fairways.

Brian Harman, Tommy Fleetwood of England and Brooks Koepka each shot 5-under 67 to pace the rest of Thursday's morning field.

Phil Mickelson withdrew from the U.S. Open on Thursday morning, opting to skip the golf major to attend his daughter's graduation ceremony.