The grandiosity of the U.S. Open was on display on Thursday. Big crowds ringing many of the holes at Pinehurst, in particular the 1st when the top three players in the world teed off, made it look and feel significant. I’ve not heard of any shuttle nightmares or logistical issues yet, but the presentation of the championship and the physical footprint is very impressive.
Tiger Woods was off early, and his day began quite well with an opening birdie on the par 5, 10th hole. He also added a few nice par saves before a rash of bogeys on five of seven holes in the middle of his round. His 74 will put him likely on the cut line as he begins his round tomorrow afternoon.
Brooks Koepka got off to a very nice start and was at -3 through 10 holes and tied for the lead. He gave those three shots back on the inward 9 but his opening round of 70 puts him in the mix with an afternoon time tomorrow. I want a good round on Friday just to see if he’ll talk to the media.
Patrick Cantlay’s opening round of 65 is not surprising at all. What is surprising is his major record being so modest in contending. He simply hasn’t and he’s too good. He and Rory McIlroy are on the opposite sides of the draw but a Saturday pairing with those two is delicious. Friction is sports is a great ingredient and those two have friction.
Rory’s 65 was very impressive. He didn’t make a truckload of putts which speaks to the quality of the ball striking. He displayed a wonderful array of shots from different heights and shapes. He executed his plan exceptionally well and Friday morning gives him an opportunity to lay down a weekend marker for a very late Saturday tee time.
Bryson DeChambeau was not a favorite because of the chipping requirements and the penal nature of the native areas. He put on a very stout ball striking round and the likelihood of him contending in back-to-back majors just got ramped up. He’s off early Friday as well and can set himself up with a another good one in round two.
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele labored all day, but they managed 71 and 70 respectively. Great players salvage things and don’t waste things. We live on the spectacular but winning relies on the mundane and the minimizing of mistakes. They did it day 1 but they need better on day 2.
Sergio Garcia and Tyrell Hatton getting in the mix would be spicy and so appetizing with the possibility of petulance. Keep it up boys.
Justin Thomas was just out of sorts and his inability to save pars from reasonable distances likely ended his week before lunchtime on Thursday.
The U.S. Open radio team can be heard on the course with the earpieces. They should be available at the big events. You stay connected and the broadcast is tremendous.
Pins I liked on Thursday. Holes 4-7-11-13-18. Pins I didn’t love for a Thursday 2-6-15-16. It’s not about them being poor pins, although 6 was dicey, it’s that I would like to see a few of them later in the week.
For a golf course that has so many beefy par fours the truth is that the closing hole is actually very gettable. Keep that in mind as we head to the weekend.
1-2-3 in the world are going to set the tone for a cut down Friday. Onward.