Quick work: Landry makes putt for 66, sets target at US Open

It is the lowest ever opening round in a U.S. Open played at Oakmont, eclipsing the 67s shot by Ben Hogan in 1953 and Gary Player in 1973.

Regardless, little-known Arkansas grad Andrew Landry had little to complain about after making a 10-foot birdie putt on his last hole this morning to shoot a 4-under 66, which is the best opening round at Oakmont in U.S. Open history. Led by Landry at 4 under, 10 players finished their first rounds below par.

The NBA Finals inspired Scottie Scheffler at the weather-affected U.S. Open after the American amateur carded a one-under-par 69. In 2007, the last time Oakmont hosted the Open, there were only eight rounds below par for the entire tournament.

Even if Andrew Landry never wins a major title, he is already assured of a place in golf’s history books. Just two weeks ago he took down Oregon’s best player even as Texas fell to the Ducks in the NCAA golf championship.

Still to be determined was whether Landry’s score would stand up.

Organisers hope to get the second round finished by early afternoon on Saturday, before completing the third round by the end of the day.

The frustration of playing one of the world’s toughest courses is evident when Spencer Levin, after four bogeys in his previous six holes, snaps after coming up short with his approach to the seventh hole, his 16th.

“That was a bad one”, said Willett, who is seeking to emulate Jordan Spieth’s achievement past year by winning the first two majors of the season. “I thought, ‘Man, I’m not going to get to sleep in.’ And I’m a good sleeper”.

“I normally don’t need to warm up that much, which is good for me, but I imagine some of the older guys might have been feeling it”. The 43-year-old was to start his second round early on Saturday morning. The average score in their side of the draw was rough two shots higher.

Oakmont still had plenty of bite for the best players.

Spieth, who finished off a round of only one birdie for a 72, returned to Oakmont in the afternoon to putt.

“I’m happy with the way everything went today”, Johnson said.

Scheffler admitted he rushed his final putt in an effort to beat the horn that sounded shortly afterwards stopping play for the day as bad weather approached, but he nonetheless sank the short par attempt, and now has the luxury of sleeping in on Friday.

“I just kind of know what to expect”, he said.

Danny Willett, who won his first major at April’s Masters, signed for a 75 while world No. 5 Rickie Fowler made 76. They played in the same group and were a combined 18-over par. He parred each of the first six holes, then made four bogeys and a birdie over the next nine.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts to his putt on the 18th hole during the rain delayed first round of the U.S. Open golf championship at Oakmont Country Club on Friday, June 17, 2016, in Oakmont, Pa. Despite playing out of an inordinate number of bunkers, Spieth was able to make two birdies and a number of clutch par saves. “I’ll be able to do fine”, Landry said.

This was a new experience, except for Friday. The feat was met with near silence, since spectators were not allowed in until 8, as grounds crews scrambled to make a muddy course walkable again. “It’s called the mini-tours”.

Landry came out to Oakmont at 6:30 a.m. and said he hit about 50 putts, all with the right-to-left break, to get ready for his one shot.

A longer-than-usual day is planned on Friday, taking full advantage of the extra hours of daylight at this time of year.