All three were between seven and eight shots behind the leader, and all were in danger of being cut Friday. The U.S. Open remains golf’s cruelest test.

The U.S. Open began under partly cloudy skies on Thursday at challenging Oakmont Country Club where Bryson DeChambeau hopes to make a fast start to his title defence while tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler was hours from teeing off.

The main character at the 125th U.S. Open isn't one of the players, but the course itself. When the likes of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau call it, to some extent,