After struggles on an unforgiving course during Round 1 of the US Open, Bryson DeChambeau admitted that he wasn't at his best on Thursday.

Even for the defending U.S. Open champion, the rough at Oakmont Country Club is causing havoc early in the national championship.

It’s Scottie Scheffler’s world again, coming in having won three of his last four tournaments, including the PGA Championship. That was his first non-Masters major win, and puts him halfway to the career Grand Slam. The U.S. Open would obviously be the third leg, and a Scheffler win would make next month’s Open Championship a blockbuster.

An American golfer has won the U.S. Open eight times out of the past 10 years. Reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau is looking to repeat.

OAKMONT, Pa. — Look, say what you will about Bryson DeChambeau, the man makes professional golf more interesting just by his existence. He pinballs his way through tournaments, often ending up on top of the leaderboard but always, always giving us something to discuss. He’s the finest content creator in the game, intentionally or not.

Rory McIlroy reiterated on Sunday after an encouraging closing 67 at Oakmont Country Club that his mental head space still isn’t quite right. But he knows just where that might finally change, and it isn’t likely to be at the upcoming Travelers Championship.