Winged Foot is one of the most difficult courses in U.S. Open history.
Justin Thomas is better.
The world No. 3 carded a five-under 65 in his opening round Thursday, taking a one-stroke lead over Patrick Reed, Thomas Pieters and Matthew Wolff. Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen and Lee Westwood round out the top five at three under.
U.S. Open (USGA)No player had ever shot better than 66 in a #USOpen at Winged Foot... until today. @JustinThomas34's 5-under 65 is the @Lexus Top Performance of the Day. https://t.co/d8V4ouTMwO
For all of the talk about Winged Foot being a course that could flummox the world's best—even par was considered a potential major-winning score—the opening round played out largely like a typical U.