American Dustin Johnson has overpowered Chambers Bay and Swede Henrik Stenson finessed it to take the lead midway through the opening round of the US Open.

Former world No.1 Adam Scott and major championship rookie Cameron Smith made solid starts for the Australian tilt but Johnson and Stenson stole the early headlines with a pair of impressive five-under-65s.

Johnson was bogey-free until his final hole, carding six birdies and the lone bogey while Stenson rolled home with four birdies in his last five holes to rocket up the boards and join him on top.

They lead by one over American Patrick Reed (66) and are two clear of Matt Kuchar (67).

Scott and Smith are lurking in a tie for 25th at even-par 70.

“Any time you shoot par or better at a US Open you have to be happy,” Scott said.

“I am right where I need to be because at the end of four days even will be a good spot.”

Starting on the 10th, Scott opened his tilt with a three-foot birdie and was two-under with another birdie on the 12th to hold a share of the lead.

But a couple of missed birdie chances on 13 and 14 were compounded by a bogey on the 15th and a pulled birdie putt from 10 feet on the 18th was rued when he made bogey on the first.

But the Queenslander managed to get back in red figures by making birdie on the second before a final hole bogey left him level.

Smith fought back impressively from an early double bogey, showing maturity beyond his 21 years.

Also starting on the back nine, Smith opened with three pars, one of which included a clutch 30-foot putt.

But a wayward drive on the 13th hole, his fourth, forced a chop out of the fescue and then his approach found the sand leaving him with a double-bogey six.

Rather than be deterred the rookie bounced back with back-to-back birdies and was under the card when he birdied the 18th.

A bogey on the second hole dropped him back to even where he remained.

“I started off a bit shaky but managed to bring it right back which was good,” Smith said.

“It got the momentum going and I held onto it pretty good the rest of the way.”

Marcus Fraser shot 71 to be six back while Kurt Barnes and John Senden settled for 72s to sit in a tie for 66th.

They are joined by world No.1 Rory McIlroy.

Jason Day, Marc Leishman and Geoff Ogilvy are out in the afternoon wave as is 14-time major champion Tiger Woods.