MAMARONECK, N.Y. – This wasn't the kind of fun Justin Thomas had in mind for a U.S. Open at Winged Foot.For all the hype and history of how much punishment Winged Foot has doled out over the years.
Thomas took advantage of a surprising soft and gentle Thursday morning with a 5-under 65, the lowest score in six U.S. Opens on this tough Tillinghast design.And all that got him was a one-shot lead over Patrick Reed among early starters, with Rory McIlroy another shot behind and starting to swing freely.Thomas went into the week saying it was a “different kind of fun” to grind over pars, to hit middle irons to difficult pins instead of the low scoring at so many other tournaments.