ARDMORE, PA. (AP) - Five things learned going into Friday’s play in the U.S. Open:
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TIGER TROUBLE: Tiger Woods has gone five years without winning a major championship, and his bid to break that streak didn’t start well. Woods played his first 10 holes in 2 over par, and had trouble figuring out the tricky greens at Merion Golf Club. He will come back to finish his first round Friday morning and then begin a second as he tries to rebound and get back to winning majors once again.
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ADAM SCOTT IS FOR REAL: For more years than he cared to think about, Adam Scott was in the mix as the best player never to win a major. That changed when he won the Masters in a dramatic playoff with Angel Cabrera, and he served notice early in the Open that he could be a factor for a second straight title. Playing with Woods, Scott made birdie on No. 11 to move to 3 under before play was suspended.
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PHIL CAN FLY: Phil Mickelson had a long night, flying from his San Diego-area home after watching his daughter graduate from eighth grade and arriving in Philadelphia at 3:30 a.m. He made his 7:11 tee time and shot a nifty 3-under 67 to take the clubhouse lead. Better yet, he gets to rest up much of Friday before teeing off in the afternoon as he tries to win the one major he covets the most.
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HAS LUKE’S TIME FINALLY COME? Luke Donald was the No. 1 player in the world for a period of time, but he’s sorely lacking in major championship credentials. He hasn’t won one yet, but his fine iron play got him to 4 under par through 13 holes, and on top of the leaderboard. Donald said he liked the soft conditions at Merion that allowed him to shoot at pins, making birdies on his final three holes.
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WEATHERMAN ISN’T ALWAYS RIGHT: The forecast for Thursday at Merion was for strong thunderstorms, heavy rain and possible hail. It did storm enough for two weather delays and the first round wasn’t completed, but the course held up well and the delay in play should be made up by the weekend. The forecast looks good for the final three days but, as relieved Open officials found out Thursday, that might not be accurate either.
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