US Open pairings: Golf stars abound in 156-man field
Despite torrential rains early this week 聽and the threat of more severe weather, the 113th United States Open golf championship is scheduled to tee off bright and early Thursday morning at , just outside Philadelphia. It's the fifth time the national championship will be played at the venerable Main Line course.
A quick look at theshows how the United States Golf Association (USGA) will feature a number of pro golfers to keep the galleries focused on the action all day long.
, still looking for his first US Open title, will tee off from hole No. 11 at 7:11 a.m. Eastern time, paired with, the 2011 PGA champion, and .
The very next trio to tee off on 11 includes, who has won twice on the PGA Tour this year. He's paired with , who won the TOUR Championship at the end of last season, and Britain's .
Another threesome that should bear watching will be Group No. 33 at 1:03 p.m. that includes former US Open champions and and former Masters champion .
The USGA has set up a fan-friendly grouping at 1:14 p.m. Three-time former US Open champion and world No. 1 will be paired with defending PGA and former US Open champion and current Masters champion .
Woods, along with McIlroy and Scott, sit atop the world rankings, providing some extra excitement on the golf course.
"I think it will be fantastic," . "I was part of that the first time they did it in '08. And it was very electric out there. I know they've done it a few more times. ... For me it's been fantastic. Normally we don't get those types of pairings very often.聽When you do it just makes it that much more enjoyable for us as players," the six-time USGA junior and amateur champion added.
At 1:36 p.m., , the defending US Open champion, tees off with two-time former US Open and defending British Open champ , along with US Amateur champion .
ESPN will televise first and second round action, beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern time both Thursday and Friday. NBC will continue coverage those two days, beginning at 3 p.m. Then, on the weekend, NBC will televise the action, starting at noon Eastern time both Saturday and Sunday.
