Jordan Spieth battled through Oakmont’s brutal layout with an even-par 70, carding four birdies and four bogeys. Now tied for 11th, the former champ called his opening round a win in disguise, given the course’s extreme challenge.
In a brutally honest reflection, Spieth admitted that missing a fairway felt like a stroke penalty. He said he’d gladly take three more rounds at even par—proof of just how punishing the U.S. Open setup is this year.
Spieth highlighted how a few fairways played nearly “impossible to hit” and hinted that incoming rain could level the playing field. With the course this tough, even small changes might bring big scoring chances.
J.J. Spaun leads at 4-under, with Thriston Lawrence close behind. Koepka, Si Woo Kim, and Sungjae Im are in the hunt. For Spieth, survival is the strategy—and so far, it’s working.
