Spectators soak up U.S. Open atmosphere at Oakmont — and some see history

Scores of spectators filed onto the Oakmont Country Club grounds shortly after sunrise Thursday, some with specific viewing strategies and groupings they planned to follow, others guided by a sense of spontaneity.

All were eager to see how the world’s best golfers stacked up against mighty Oakmont during the first round of the 125th U.S. Open.

Owen Pearce of Pine View, Luzerne County, was soaking up the atmosphere at his second U.S. Open.

“It looks spectacular, and I’m excited for a fun week,” said Pearce, who attended the U.S. Open last year when it was held at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.

Pearce was among those rewarded with a glimpse of history.

He planned to spend a chunk of his day following Taylor Pendrith, Tom Kim and J.J. Spaun. That threesome teed off hole No. 10 at 7:07 a.m.

By the time they made the turn to the front nine, Spaun had made history. He shot 31 — a record for an opening nine holes at a U.S. Open at Oakmont.

For the day, Spaun shot 4-under-par 66, matching the record for the lowest first-round score in U.S. Open history at Oakmont.

Other spectators opted for the bigger names teeing off early Thursday: former U.S. Open champion and reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy, and defending U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.

Brothers Levi, 11, and Walker Roghanchi, 9, of Mendham, N.J., were with their father, Arjan, and reveling in their second U.S Open. Their plan was to follow DeChambeau from hole to hole.

“Watching them on TV is cool, but being here in person is much cooler,” Levi said.

Husband and wife Andy and Wendy Bixler, both 59, of York had never been to a U.S. Open. They planned to alternate between following McIlroy and DeChambeau.

“We are here to check it out and see as much as we can,” Andy Bixler said.

Scott Jubeck, 44, of Sewickley came with his son, Anderson, 9. The elder Jubeck had been to one previous U.S. Open, but it was Anderson’s first. They had their sights set on following DeChambeau.

“We’re just here for the experience, and it’s beautiful outside,” said Scott Jubeck. “I’m excited that this is in Pittsburgh. It is great for the community.”

Friends Antonio Butler, 34, Ryan Menafee, 27, and Ron Gordan, 37, all came in from Columbus, Ohio, to enjoy their first U.S Open experience. They planned to follow the action by walking the course, mostly by shadowing DeChambeau in the morning and world No. 1-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler in the afternoon.

“I’m trying to get 25,000 steps in today. That’s the goal,” Gordon said.

Husband and wife Laura and Rory Gulling of Canton, Ohio, also were first-time attendees.

“We came to the practice round (Wednesday), so we kind of got a layout of the course,” Rory Gulling said.

The Gullings hoped to follow McIlroy from hole to hole.

Tom Miller of White Oak planned on spending quality time with his son and his son’s friend.

“This is a wonderful atmosphere,” Miller said. “You see some of the best golfers in the world.”