An avid fan of Georgia Bulldogs and golf once said, “the USGA decides it’s time to smite everyone with the temerity to break par.” And apparently they had circled Thursday on their calendars.
How about these stats:
- The field of 156 golfers was a collective 984 over par in Round 1 (nine hundred eighty-four).
- 193 double bogeys recorded (or worse)
- 6 of the world’s top 10 shot 75 or worse, and combined for 52 over par.
- World #4 Jordan Spieth shot 78, #5 Jon Rahm shot 78, #6 Rory McIlroy shot 80
- Only 4 players broke par, and 69 was the low round of the day
- 28 players shot 80 or worse, and one pro shot 92 (Scott Gregory of England)
Shinnecock is hard.