OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Golf’s “Big Three” might be in big trouble at the U.S. Open.
Jason Day, the top-ranked player in the world, needs to grind if he wants to make the cut, let alone get in the mix at rapidly drying out Oakmont. Jordan Spieth, the defending champion, spent a significant portion of his unexpected afternoon off trying to get his balky putter back on track. And Rory McIlroy’s bid for a second Open title to go with the one he captured so easily five years ago may have ended before it really began.
While the leaderboard features a mix of familiar (Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia and Jim Furyk) and not so familiar names (hello, Andrew Landry) the twenty-somethings who have helped fill the vacuum left by Tiger Woods’ decline are nowhere to be found.
Spieth wrapped up his water-logged first round early Friday morning, carding a 2-over 72 that included five bogeys, two birdies and a handful of exasperated looks after watching putt after putt burn the edge. Following one approach shot he held out his hands, turned and sighed “Oh my God” while flipping his club in frustration.
“You just have to really…
