Woods, Mcilroy grouped for Open
ARDMORE, Pa. — Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott will play together the opening two rounds of the U.S. Open next week at Merion.
For the third straight year, U.S. Open officials have put the top three players in the world ranking in the same group. The feature group will start at 1:14 p.m. Thursday off the first tee, and then 7:44 a.m. starting on the 11th tee Friday.
The U. S. Open disclosed the Nos. 1-2-3 group in a tweet, and McIlroy immediately responded on Twitter.
“Decent group for the first 2 rounds at Merion I see ...” he tweeted.
Playing in front of that threesome will be former U.S. Open champions Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell, and former Masters champion Zach Johnson.
Phil Mickelson is on the other side of the draw — starting Thursday morning on the 11th hole, Friday afternoon on the first hole. Mickelson, with a record five runner-up finishes in the U.S. Open, is joined by Steve Stricker and Keegan Bradley, his partner from the last Ryder Cup.
In front of that group will be the power trio of Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson and Nicolas Colsaerts. Sergio Garcia is with Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink.
TOURNAMENTS
Regions Tradition at Birmingham: Duffy Waldorf shot a 4-under 68 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead over Jeff Sluman after the soggy, weather- delayed second round of the second of five Champions Tour majors.
Waldorf had three birdies and a bogey on both the first nine holes and the last nine to top the Shoal Creek leader board at 9-under 135.
Fred Couples, Mark Calcavecchia, Michael Allen and Canadian Rod Spittle were three strokes back.
Memphian Loren Roberts is at 6-under 138.
LPGA Championship at Pittsford, N.Y.: Chella Choi shot a 5-under 67 on Friday to take a one-shot lead over Morgan Pressel after the first round of the rain- delayed event.
Choi, who has never won on the LPGA Tour, had five birdies and a bogey-free front nine to move into the lead and held on in steady rain over her final seven holes.
Brittany Lincicome was tied for third at 69 with Jiyai Shin.