A view of the 18th green early Thursday morning before the first round of the 2007 U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont CC. Thunderstorms late Wednesday softened the course, and lead to some early birdies among the first players out. Scoring conditions toughened on through the day.A view of the 18th green early Thursday morning before the first round of the 2007 U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont CC. Thunderstorms late Wednesday softened the course, and lead to some early birdies among the first players out. Scoring conditions toughened on through the day.
A member of the grounds crew tidies things up before the first of 156 players teed off.A member of the grounds crew tidies things up before the first of 156 players teed off.
Michael Putnam plays the first shot of the 107th U.S. Open, the eighth men's national championship played at Oakmont.Michael Putnam plays the first shot of the 107th U.S. Open, the eighth men's national championship played at Oakmont.
Tiger Woods hits his first tee shot during the first round. He shot a one-over 71 Thursday to finish the day three strokes off the lead. "You know if you just shoot 3, 4, 5 over par you're still in the tournament, and you've got to hang in there," he said after his round. "You know that you're going to get some bad breaks and some good ones, and if you make a mistake, accept the ramifications of it."Tiger Woods hits his first tee shot during the first round. He shot a one-over 71 Thursday to finish the day three strokes off the lead. "You know if you just shoot 3, 4, 5 over par you're still in the tournament, and you've got to hang in there," he said after his round. "You know that you're going to get some bad breaks and some good ones, and if you make a mistake, accept the ramifications of it."
Robert Allenby of Australia muscles a ball from the penal rough during the first round. His 77 was less than two strokes higher than the field average. Not one player escaped without at least one bogey on his card.Robert Allenby of Australia muscles a ball from the penal rough during the first round. His 77 was less than two strokes higher than the field average. Not one player escaped without at least one bogey on his card.
Geoff Ogilvy lets a recovery shot fly during his opening round. Playing with Tiger Woods and Amateur champ Richie Ramsay of Scotland, the defending champion is one of a big pack of players at one-over after 18 holes. Ramsay finished at eight over.Geoff Ogilvy lets a recovery shot fly during his opening round. Playing with Tiger Woods and Amateur champ Richie Ramsay of Scotland, the defending champion is one of a big pack of players at one-over after 18 holes. Ramsay finished at eight over.
Tiger Woods escapes from the greenside "Sahara" bunker on the long par-3 eighth hole during the first round to salvage par. "It's hard to make birdies on this golf course and it's easy to make bogeys and doubles," he said.Tiger Woods escapes from the greenside "Sahara" bunker on the long par-3 eighth hole during the first round to salvage par. "It's hard to make birdies on this golf course and it's easy to make bogeys and doubles," he said.
Pennsylvania native Jim Furyk hits from the church pew bunkers on the third hole during the first round. The 2004 U.S. Open champion is one of 16 players who lost just one stroke to par on Thursday.Pennsylvania native Jim Furyk hits from the church pew bunkers on the third hole during the first round. The 2004 U.S. Open champion is one of 16 players who lost just one stroke to par on Thursday.
Tiger Woods negotiates a long putt during the first round, and ended the day without a three-putt.Tiger Woods negotiates a long putt during the first round, and ended the day without a three-putt.
All eyes are on Tiger as he tees off in front of Oakmont's historic clubhouse.All eyes are on Tiger as he tees off in front of Oakmont's historic clubhouse.
Course officials point to the ball of Ian Poulter of England in the rough on the eighth hole during the first round. He flirted with red numbers Thursday but finished with a two-over-par 72.Course officials point to the ball of Ian Poulter of England in the rough on the eighth hole during the first round. He flirted with red numbers Thursday but finished with a two-over-par 72.
Rhys Davies and Michael Putnam finish their round on the ninth green (right) while players putt on the adjoining practice area. The blue stake marks the point past which players can't practice.Rhys Davies and Michael Putnam finish their round on the ninth green (right) while players putt on the adjoining practice area. The blue stake marks the point past which players can't practice.
