UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — The No. 1 player in the world does not usually play second fiddle to anyone. And yet, that is where Rory McIlroy has found himself on the eve of the 115th United States Open.
He has been the game’s most accomplished player for most of the last three years, and he has won three events worldwide this season. But McIlroy is not the center of attention this week. He is far from an afterthought in the preparation for the event, beginning Thursday at Chambers Bay Golf Club, but if there is a consuming phenomenon in golf since April it is the celebration of Jordan Spieth, the 21-year-old Masters champion.