World’s top 3 all fail to make cut
ERIN, Wis. — The 117th U.S. Open took its toll on the best players in the world yesterday. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, No. 2 Rory McIlroy and No. 3 Jason Day all failed to make the cut, a historic moment in Open history.
McIlroy, at least, finished with a rush with four birdies in the last six holes but not even that was enough to avoid going 5-over for the tournament. Day finished a disappointing 10-over and Johnson an unsteady 4-over.
The cut line was 1-over, tying for the all-time lowest Open cut line, matching at Medinah in 1990. It also marked the first time since the world rankings began in April 1986 that the top three players in the world all failed to make the cut at a U.S. Open.
“I was in the hay too much over the last couple of days,’’ Day said. “I usually love places like this. I did enjoy the walk. The walk was great. I knew I was kind of out of it, so I was trying to stay out of the way of Rory. Unfortunately, with where I was hitting it, I wasn’t in the way.’’
Neither was McIlroy, who has played only six times this season due to a nagging rib injury. Although now he says he’s healthy, that lack of competitive testing took its toll.
“Showed up for the last six holes anyway,’’ McIlroy said. “I’ve been very light on competitive rounds this year. In practice I was really good but I wasn’t able to translate it to the course. You never really know until you put a (score)card in your hand and you’re under the gun a little bit.
“I birdied four of the last six. I probably could have birdied all of the last six. It didn’t matter at that point because I was so far from the cut line but at least I know it’s in there.’’
Johnson opened with a 3-over 75 and added to his misery with a 1-over 73 to finish 4-over.
And out.
Got to hit it farther
The USGA was not happy to see the par 5 18th play as the easiest hole on the course on opening day so it placed the tees as far back as possible yesterday, making it a 676-yard par 5. That added an additional 40 yards to the hole’s length in the first round.
Players consistently reached the hole in 2 on Thursday but even though it was playing downwind again yesterday they were not quite as lucky.
While that might be a par 7 for mere mortals, Ernie Els pointed out that he’d played a practice round with an amateur who was pounding drives 340 yards. Once Els was one of the tour’s long hitters at a consistent 290. Now he hits a drive and the kids on tour ask him why he laid up.
Four! to focus on
If pain is your game there are four holes to focus on at Erin Hills.
The green on No. 4 has a 25- yard falloff to the rear. Put a ball in the wrong spot and your favorite golfer will find his ball has rolled into a collection area from Hades.
The ninth has four possible hole locations, each more difficult than the previous. To reach them, golfers will be on an elevated tee that will be brutal if the wind starts to whip as expected. Making a ball hold on those greens will be near impossible if you miss your spot.
The 594-yard par-5 14th often plays into the wind but is still considered reachable. The problem is the most desired landing area is only about 22 yards wide and is all but surrounded by rough in which you could lose a beach ball, let alone a golf ball. If you avoid that trouble there’s a potential 100-yard, blind-shot wedge into a two-tiered green where if you land front right the ball could well roll down a hill and all the way to Chicago.
And then there’s the closing hole, the aforementioned 18th, which could make for a thrilling finish if several players are bunched at the top of the leaderboard. If they over shoot the green they’ll be surrounded by bleachers and may need a full swing with a wedge to come back.
If you love seeing the world’s best golfers playing like you do, focus on those four holes.
Don’t drink the water
Local health officials announced they found evidence of E. coli bacteria at a hydration station on the 12th hole on Thursday. The water line was shut down and the USGA said it would provide complimentary bottled water at all hydration stations for the duration of the tournament. . . .
Si Woo Kim, the South Korean golfer who won the Players Championship this year, was asked if he bought a new car after winning. His response made clear how things go on the PGA Tour these days. “Now I buy a house in Dallas,” he said.