The USGA announced that Hovland had pulled out due to an eye injury. However the NBC broadcast conveyed that the injury was due to sand in Hovland’s left eye.
It was Koepka’s sixth consecutive under-par round at the US Open – he missed last year’s event at Winged Foot with a knee injury – which ties Sam Snead’s all-time record.
We know Rory loyalists have heard this before, but it seems there are legitimate reasons to think that McIlroy can meld attitude and optimism with an improving swing to make some noise this week.
While there’s been some concern that having the two men play together for rounds one and two at Torrey Pines would devolve into a fracas, allegedly the USGA actually considered the possibility. At least, according to Brad Faxon.
With the next decade’s venues mostly accounted for and the anchor sites leaving few openings, it’s evident the true publics won’t be a frequent voice of the discussion.
Australian Golf Digest
