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.

OAKMONT, Pa. — As Phil Mickelson, aka Lefty, aka Phil the Thrill, aka FIGJAM, aka one of the two most famous golfers of the 21st century, teed off Thursday in what might be his final U.S. Open, there were more security guards than journalists following him. And there were two security guards.

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler off the pace in brutal opening round at US Open - Masters champion McIlroy shot a four-over-par 74 – eight strokes off the lead of JJ Spaun