US Open 2017: 10 things you need to know
By John Buhler
The 117th US Open Championship will begin play on Thursday morning. Here are 10 things you’ll need to know heading into the second golf major of the year.
Father’s Day weekend should be an exciting one on the PGA Tour landscape, especially if your dad loves golf. Beginning on Thursday morning, the second major of the year will be under way at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin. That’s right, it’s time to get ready for the 2017 US Open.
This will be the 117th playing of the US Open. The iconic golf tournament usually plays out in the middle of June at a different course annually in the United States. It is one of the most difficult events to win, as the courses are selected to make the winning score near par.
With a great Masters Tournament already taken place in Augusta in April, let’s take a look at the 10 things you’ll probably need to know about the 117th US Open heading into this weekend at Erin Hills.
10. Phil Mickelson might miss his first tee time
One of the greatest golfers of the last 20 years may not actually play in the 2017 US Open. Popular left-hander and five-time major champion Phil Mickelson will need the power to turn back time to make his first tee time on Thursday afternoon.
Mickelson’s daughter graduates high school on Thursday morning in California. It’s a big deal for Mickelson’s family, but it could cause him to miss his 2:20 p.m. CT tee time on Thursday afternoon at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.
Mickelson does have a private jet that can get him from California to rural Wisconsin in three hours and 20 minutes. However, he will almost certainly need a four-hour weather delay for him to make his Round 1 tee time.
Mickelson is paired with Stewart Cink and Steve Stricker for this mid-afternoon tee time at Erin Hills. Should he be unable to make it to the course, he will be replaced by alternate Roberto Diaz. Keep in mind that Mickelson has never won a US Open. It is the only major that evades him. Six times he has finished second in the event.