Los Angeles (AFP) – The US Golf Association is spreading out the stars for the first two rounds of the US Open, staying away from a “Big Three” grouping that would steal the show at Oakmont.
World number one and reigning PGA Champion Jason Day will tee off on Thursday in a group with two former major champions in fellow Australian Adam Scott and South African Louis Oosthuizen.
Defending US Open champion and world number two Jordan Spieth will play alongside fellow American Zach Johnson — the reigning British Open and former Masters champ — and newly minted pro Bryson DeChambeau, a former US Amateur champion.
And world number three Rory McIlroy will play the first two rounds with 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett and world number five Rickie Fowler.
Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, still chasing the US Open victory that would complete the career Grand Slam, is grouped with former US Open winner Justin Rose of England and world number seven Henrik Stenson of Sweden.
Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, who won the US Open the last time it was played at Oakmont in 2007, is paired with two more former US Open winners in South African Ernie Els and American Jim Furyk.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, Australian Geoff Ogilvy and American Webb Simpson make up another group of former champions who will play together over the first two rounds on the rugged, par-70, 7,219-yard layout in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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