US Open Golf Schedule 2016: Thursday Tee Times, TV Coverage and Live Stream
The week might not feature the best scores, but the 2016 U.S. Open will at least be entertaining.
Even the best players in the world are likely to struggle at Oakmont Country Club in Western Pennsylvania this week on one of the toughest courses in the world. According to Kyle Porter of CBS Sports, the cumulative score of the last eight U.S. Open winners at this location is nine-over. Only 23 players have finished under par in these tournaments.
Fans shouldn't expect a performance like Rory McIlroy's minus-16 from 2011.
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The week will likely feature plenty of shifts along the leaderboard, with positives and negatives from your favorite players beginning right away on Day 1. Here is what you need to know to watch all the action as it happens.
| 1 | Thursday | Fox Sports 1 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Fox | 5 - 8 p.m. | ||
| 2 | Friday | Fox Sports 1 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Fox | 5 - 8 p.m. | ||
| 3 | Saturday | Fox | 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
| 4 | Sunday | Fox | 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. |
Live stream available at USOpen.com and Fox Sports Go.
| 7:51 a.m. | 1 | Matt Kuchar | Bubba Watson | Patrick Reed |
| 8:02 a.m. | 10 | Marc Leishman | Jimmy Walker | Paul Casey |
| 8:13 a.m. | 10 | Lee Westwood | Luke Donald | Martin Kaymer |
| 8:24 a.m. | 1 | Rory McIlroy | Danny Willett | Rickie Fowler |
| 8:24 a.m. | 10 | Russell Knox | Harris English | Jason Dufner |
| 8:35 a.m. | 10 | Zach Johnson | Bryson DeChambeau | Jordan Spieth |
| 1:36 p.m. | 1 | Hideki Matsuyama | Sergio Garcia | Dustin Johnson |
| 1:36 p.m. | 10 | Brandt Snedeker | Bill Haas | Billy Horschel |
| 1:47 p.m. | 1 | Webb Simpson | Graeme McDowell | Geoff Ogilvy |
| 1:47 p.m. | 10 | Brooks Koepka | Chris Wood | Justin Thomas |
| 1:58 p.m. | 1 | Ernie Els | Jim Furyk | Angel Cabrera |
| 1:58 p.m. | 10 | Kevin Kisner | Charl Schwartzel | Branden Grace |
| 2:09 p.m. | 10 | Phil Mickelson | Justin Rose | Henrik Stenson |
| 2:20 p.m. | 1 | Jason Day | Louis Oosthuizen | Adam Scott |
Full list of tee times available at PGATour.com.
Top Groups To Watch
Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Rickie Fowler
The Big Three of Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have dominated the past couple of seasons in golf. However, some will argue Rickie Fowler deserves an equal spot alongside these young players. Take it away, Shane Bacon of Fox Sports:
"Maybe people think a major win is necessary to get your face chiseled next to the other three, but Fowler has played himself to No. 4 in the world for a reason, and considering his age and how improved his golf game is since the start of the 2014 season, it’s probably time to start coming up with a clever “Big Four” nickname. I don’t see any of them going anywhere soon.
"
Considering he has a top-five finish in all four majors to go with wins at the Abu Dhabi and the Players' Championship, it's clear he is one of the best golfers in the world.
On the other hand, Danny Willett got that major title Fowler is lacking at the 2016 Masters. Although the English golfer was far from a household name before his dramatic week in Augusta, no one is taking away his green jacket.
With his confidence at an all-time high, there is no reason to doubt him going forward.
Still, McIlroy remains the favorite of the group after a win at the Irish Open and a tie for fourth at the Memorial. He is in top form and has all the tools necessary to get his first U.S. Open title this weekend.
Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson
Although Phil Mickelson is no stranger to winning big tournaments, the U.S. Open has eluded him to this point. This is the last remaining piece of his career Grand Slam, as he has finished in second place six times.
While Lefty has had some strong finishes this season, he doesn't appear excited to take on the challenging course at Oakmont, per Jason Sobel of ESPN:
He's not showing a whole lot of confidence, but then again, maybe humility is what he needs to be successful.
This group features two other contenders as well. Henrik Stenson often ends up on the leaderboard at majors, earning four top-five finishes since 2013. He also hasn't missed a cut at a major since 2011.
Meanwhile, 2014 winner Justin Rose will look to continue his consistency after finishing in the top 20 in nine of his 11 stroke-play events this season. He isn't all that flashy, but his solid play will give him an advantage over the competition.
Jason Day, Louis Oosthuizen, Adam Scott
There is no way around it—Jason Day is the best player on tour right now. He is the No. 1 player in the world rankings and the odds-on favorite to win the U.S. Open, per Odds Shark. He does a better job of finishing off tournaments than anyone.
After winning four of his last seven events in 2015, Day has kept it going with three wins this season, including the recent Players' Championship.
Nothing is guaranteed in golf, but if you had to pick one player to win the U.S. Open, you would be smart to pick the Australian.
Of course, his compatriot Adam Scott has been almost as good in 2016. After a disappointing year, he has bounced back with two victories and two more second-place finishes already this year.
Gary Van Sickle of Golf.com called Scott his Comeback Player of the Year before picking him to win the tournament at five under. A victory in Oakmont would cap a return to glory for the 2013 Masters winner.
Fans also shouldn't overlook former major winner Louis Oosthuizen, whose accuracy could come in handy on a course with such narrow fairways.
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for year-round sports analysis.
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