Watney shines and thrills in U.S. Open's first round | Golf

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Michael Thompson has taken the clubhouse lead at the U.S. Open, shooting a 4-under 66 for a three-shot lead on a late-charging Tiger Woods.

The 2007 U.S. Amateur runner-up at The Olympic Club sure played like he knew the course Thursday, piling up seven birdies to go with three bogeys in an aggressive round.

The 27-year-old from Alabama still couldn't feel too comfortable with a familiar face making a charge at another major.

Dixon native Nick Watney is 1-under 69, tied with Woods and three others for second place.

Watney provided the day's biggest thrill - a double-eagle on 17 from 190 yards away.

Woods birdied back-to-back holes late in his round and played the unleveled Lake Course with the kind of confidence that has made him a 14-time major champion. He bogeyed his second-to-last hole to card a 1-under 69 and blow away playing partners Phil Mickelson (76) and Bubba Watson (78).

As for Elk Grove's Spencer Levin, he carded a 5-over 75.