OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) - Tiger Woods was above par and felt fortunate to be there. Phil Mickelson had a 74 and knew it probably couldn’t have been much better with his achy wrist. Only two scores were in the red under optimal scoring conditions at the U.S. Open, and three very long and likely dry days await.

This is Oakmont Country Club, as good as it gets. This is the U.S. Open, where the field expects the worst and often gets it.

What everyone was wondering after the opening round yesterday on one of the world’s toughest courses was how much more grueling it will get when Oakmont’s greens fully dry out, the pin placements aren’t so generous and the pressure that’s always there in the most difficult of the four majors ratchets up even more.

If only leader Nick Dougherty (68) and Angel Cabrera (69) could break par at Oakmont with the greens softer than usual, the temperatures moderate and a cooling breeze blowing through, what will the scores be by tomorrow? By Sunday?

"We are in for a long week," Vijay Singh said.

For Sergio Garcia (79), Shaun Micheel (78), two-time champion Retief Goosen (76), Masters winner Zach Johnson (76) and frequent contender Colin Montgomerie (76), it’s already been a long week. Despite scores so high they would already be out of it in most tournaments, Woods offered some encouragement.

"You know if you shoot 3-, 4-, 5-over-par, you’re still in the tournament, and you’ve got to hang in there," said Woods, whose 1-over 71 left him three behind Dougherty.

Former University of Missouri golfer John Kelly shot a 74, which tied him with Rhys Davies for the low amateur score.

One trend was evident yesterday: Getting on the course early was much preferable to later. Only four golfers were below or even par, and all four had early tee times - when Oakmont’s wickedly fast greens were drying out from a Wednesday afternoon thunderstorm.

"I think the course is, I hate saying it, easy," Dougherty said after needing only 11 putts over the final nine holes. "Goodness, I shouldn’t have said that. No, absolutely not. The course is barbaric."

Cabrera owned the only other score in the 60s, with the long-driving Bubba Watson and Jose Maria Olazabal at 70. Woods, Ben Curtis, returning champion Geoff Ogilvy, Jim Furyk and 51-year-old Fred Funk were among those at 71.

"Imagine if we don’t get any rain and the greens get firmer and firmer by this weekend. It’s going to be difficult out there," Olazabal said.

Going to get difficult? What is it now? David Toms led at 3-under at one point, only to finish at 72 after bogeys on five of his last six holes.

"Even in a major like Augusta, even other difficult majors we play, you probably are going to have one or two shots where you can take off," Woods said. "It’s not that hard of a shot. You can close your eyes and probably hit it either in the fairway or on the greens, and it’s an easy shot. On this golf course, there are none and no easy birdies."

No doubt it didn’t help that only a dozen or so in the field have tournament experience at Oakmont, which hadn’t hosted a U.S. Open since 1994 - the year before Woods began playing in the national championship. Once the leaders experience all of Oakmont’s nuances and the greens that tilt like a miswired pinball machine, maybe they’ll be more comfortable.

Or maybe not. Arnold Palmer has played Oakmont for 66 years and still doesn’t know all of its ins and outs and peculiarities.

"When" Woods "and I played here last Monday, 10-over would have won it by five," Ogilvy said. "Right now, 10-over is not going to win, if it stays like this."

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Advertisement