The 177th U.S. Open golf tournament began Thursday at Erin Hills Golf Course. Obviously I don't have to worry about them and that's a big relief. "But I understand that's still a long time from now". That's why I'm here.
Traditionally, US Open courses challenge golfers both mentally and physically with a combination of lightning-fast greens, narrow fairways and gnarly rough. "That is what my job is this week".
McIlroy arrived at Erin Hills last Friday. "It's like a links golf course on steroids, everything is a little bigger", Rahm said.
" I think it sets up very well for me", Johnson said.
That might be an understatement. Johnson's length off the tee would seem to be a huge advantage this year.
Whereas everything seemed so clear a few weeks ago heading into the Masters - before Dustin Johnson slipped and hurt his back, that is - it is hard to say with any real certainty that we know how things might unfold over the next four days in the season's second major.
"You've got the fairways", Harvey says.
"It's going to be a long week". "Every part of the game has to work well if I'm going to have a chance".
"One of the course architects, Dana Fry, walked around the course with us which I thought was really beneficial", McIlroy said Monday.
Johnson isn't one to feel much pressure - he doesn't show much, anyway - even playing his first major as the No. 1 player in the world.
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The 28-year-old Northern Irishman meanwhile said he has no concerns with the rib injury which has bothered him recently as he hunts for a second US Open title this week following his breakthrough 2011 win at Congressional.
But Johnson's momentum was cruelled with a freak fall down a staircase on Masters eve in April and he hasn't bagged a top-10 result on the US PGA Tour since. "I'm so shocked and so thankful for everyone who chose to come, because it was a last-minute thing and it's expensive. So if you've got 50 or 60 yards to hit into and you're complaining about the fescue that's wider than that, I don't think that's an issue".
For almost 30 years, Curtis Strange has carried the designation as the last man to win back-to-back U.S. Opens. But if not for a three-putt for bogey on the 72nd hole at Chambers Bay, which allowed Jordan Spieth to win in 2015, Johnson could be going for a three-peat.
The blimp is seen flyinger over Erin Hills golf course earlier on Thursday.
Johnson was the latest player trying to be the king of golf since the downfall of Tiger Woods.
Two - Adam Scott and Day - are well acquainted with the special pressures that come with vying for and winning a major title. To Johnson, it's validation.
Ford said he went through his own version of a practice round, especially making sure he pronounces the names correctly.
The course here is super lush so unless they do something absurd with greens or pin placements on the weekend, I think this tournament will be controversy-free (famous last words, I know).
Patrick Reed (25 to 1): I originally had Phil Mickelson in this spot, but Phil did the right thing, and the cool thing, by skipping the tournament so he could go to his daughter's high school graduation. But if that happens, there will be those who say the USGA is rigging the system to let Mickelson play.
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