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US Open tees off on Thursday

By Tonye Bakare with agency report
14 June 2016   |   2:55 pm
The 116th edition of the Championship will start on Thursday, June through Sunday 19, June, with the possibility of a playoff on Monday, June 20.
OAKMONT, PA - JUNE 13: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Jordan Spieth of the United States walks across the fairway during a practice round prior to the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 13, 2016 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. PHOTO: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP

OAKMONT, PA – JUNE 13: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Jordan Spieth of the United States walks across the fairway during a practice round prior to the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 13, 2016 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. PHOTO: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/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.

The 116th edition of the Championship will start on Thursday, June through Sunday 19, June, with the possibility of a playoff on Monday, June 20.

Designed on pasture land in 1903 by Henry C. Fownes, Oakmont venue of the championship is known for its “Church Pew” bunkers between the third and fourth fairways, but features 200 more traps, no true water hazards, and blisteringly fast greens. The Pennsylvania Turnpike, built in the 1940s, split the course, separating the eastern seven holes (2-8) from the rest.

This year’s schedule has the world number one and reigning PGA Champion Jason Day teeing 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.

The Guardian will provide daily updates from the Championship.

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