Coming off hip surgery, and approaching 60, Jack Nicklaus knows he’s not the golfer he once was.

The winner of 18 major titles and the most feared golfer in the world during his prime, Nicklaus still thought he might be able to leave a couple of his trademark Bear tracks around No. 2 during the U.S. Open this week.

But an early morning tee time, a wet course and a lack of length thwarted Nicklaus as he slugged his way to an opening round 78.

The irony of the round wasn’t lost on Nicklaus. Once one of the longest hitters in the game, he was hoping for a fast track to make up for his loss of distance. He smiled ruefully when he recounted how players were hitting 8- and 9-iron approach shots, while he was forced to hit woods and low irons.

"I was hoping for fast, dry conditions," Nicklaus said. "With my lack of length these days, I think that would suit me better. Today, I hit woods into par fours five times.

"I guess I’m getting a dose of my own medicine after all these years."

Nicklaus started his round at 7:20 a.m., and his first shot was launched into a soupy fog.

"I couldn’t see the ball for the first three holes," Nicklaus said. "I couldn’t even focus on the ball the light was so bad out there."

Nicklaus bogeyed the first three holes in a round that included nine bogeys and just one birdie.

"I didn’t play well," Nicklaus said. "I didn’t drive the ball very well, didn’t hit my irons well and didn’t putt very well. Other than that it was great."

Nicklaus hit only five out of a possible 14 fairways and just 10 greens in regulation. He took 32 putts once he did reach the greens.

Despite not getting the fast golf course he needed, Nicklaus thought the course would yield lower scores as the day wore on.

"The rough is not long, but there was a lot of moisture in it, and that made it tough," Nicklaus said. "I think we’ll see lower scores as the day goes along. The course is in excellent condition. It took the water very well."

Nicklaus shrugged his shoulders when asked about his early morning tee time.

"It was just unlucky for me," Nicklaus said. "I can’t remember ever having one that early."

Nicklaus has played in only two tournaments since his hip surgery was performed nearly six months ago.

"I took a long time off," Nicklaus said. "But I thought by the third tournament I’d be getting better."

But Nicklaus said he hasn’t been playing well, due in part to his recovery.

"I don’t think playing golf will bring back strength," Nicklaus said. "Only time will do that."