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.

The game's stars have dominated the last six majors and most signature events. What will it take for a sleeper to emerge at Oakmont?

DeChambeau followed what his fellow SMU alum, the late Payne Stewart, accomplished 25 years earlier by winning the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. He is looking for his third U.S. Open title. Kim, a Dallas resident, in entering his fourth U.S. Open. His career best finish came in 2023 in Los Angeles (-8).

J.J. Spaun’s first-round 66 held up for the early lead as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and a host of others were simply overmatched by the course.

Utah's Tony Finau, Zac Blair and Preston Summerhays combined to shoot 18 over par Thursday in first round of 125th U.S. Open

Scottie Scheffler has never played the Oakmont Country Club in competition. But as the world's No. 1-ranked player and the leader on the PGA Tour in the FedEx Cup race and earnings, he's the clear favorite to win the U.S. Open June 12-15 at the historic Western Pennsylvania course.

The 125th U.S. Open is taking place this week outside of Pittsburgh at Oakmont Country Club, and after a dry, hot start, shower and storm chances will increase for the weekend. Oakmont Country Club is hosting the tournament for a record 10th time this year, with the last one in 2016 when Dustin Johnson won.

Hogan won the 1953 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. Nasse was 15 years old at the time and had been caddying for five years. Two weeks before the U.S. Open, his father died, and it was agreed that Nasse would benefit the most from caddying for the golf legend.