US Open Golf 2016 Leaderboard: Live Look at Friday Scores, Overall Predictions
The top players at the U.S. Open not only have to battle a challenging course but also an atypical schedule in the first two days at Oakmont Country Club.
After play was suspended early Thursday due to poor weather, players had to come out early Friday to finish Round 1. Others who didn't get a chance to play on Day 1 will have two full rounds to complete in a hectic second day of action.
Despite the challenges, a handful of contenders have still excelled with red numbers on the scorecard, though it might not stay that way. Here is a look at the latest leaderboard with predictions for the final contenders come Sunday.
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Updated schedule of tee times available at USOpen.com.
Predicted Top Finishers
Dustin Johnson
One of the big storylines surrounding Dustin Johnson is the difference between his play in the first couple of rounds and in the weekend. He let the 2015 U.S. Open get away from him on the last day of play (Sunday), and until he proves he can change the story, there is reason to be skeptical.
With that said, his first round was impressive. Although he didn't have the lowest opening-round score—that honor goes to Andrew Landry with his 66—Johnson was the only player not to post at least a bogey. According to Fox Sports 1, he is the first to accomplish this feat at Oakmont since 1994.
This includes the 2007 U.S. Open where not a single person had a bogey-free round all tournament.
While accuracy figured to be an important part of winning this week, Johnson has separated himself with his power, per the PGA Tour:
His length has given him an advantage over just about everyone in the field, and it could help him finally win his first major.
Bubba Watson
Similar to Johnson, Bubba Watson often uses his striking ability off the tee to give him an advantage in tournaments. However, he has also shown he can have a nice soft touch to handle these lightning-fast greens:
This was one of Watson's five birdies in the first round; he nullified them a bit by racking up three bogeys, but he was still good enough to be near the lead. On a course where not many players are going to accumulate birdies, the left-hander has a chance to make some dramatic moves on the leaderboard.
Although Watson hasn't been in top form over the past few months, he is not intimidated by big events and knows how to finish off a win when he is close.
His putting doesn't need to be elite; he just has to avoid disaster on the greens. If he can do that, his advantage off the tee will be enough to help him contend for the championship.
Jordan Spieth
Even at two strokes over par, Jordan Spieth cannot be counted out so early in this tournament.
The defending U.S. Open champion was not only affected by the rain during his opening round but also the constant interruptions from delays. He noted the issues while also remaining confident in his chances, per Mark Lamport-Stokes of Reuters:
"It was tough, starting and stopping and conditions changing from when we started to when we finished, but it is what it is. Bit of a shame, because Oakmont, it was so great in those practice round days when it started to firm up. Now, you know, it's still great, but it's a different golf course.
Overall, I felt like I played well. I felt like I didn't quite get rewarded with my score for how I felt like I played. A couple tough breaks. It's a U.S. Open. I'm still in it.
"
Even with better weather, the leaderboard is likely going to end up closer to par, which gives Spieth a chance to move up the list. While the 22-year-old has been inconsistent this year, there is no denying his talent when he is at his best.
If Spieth can take advantage of his short game against the rest of the field on these tough greens, he has a chance to win yet another major.
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