Keith Mitchell made U.S. Open history Thursday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, putting together one of the most dramatic reversals in the tournament's opening round. Mitchell struggled badly on his first nine holes before rebounding in record fashion over the second half of his round, according to ESPN.
The turnaround was enough to put Mitchell's name in the record books. The details of his front nine made the back-nine performance all the more striking. Shinnecock Hills is one of the most demanding courses in American golf, and opening rounds there tend to punish players who get off to slow starts. Mitchell did not just recover. He made history doing it.
The day was not without its dark moments. Jason Day, a former world number one and major champion, withdrew from the opening round after posting 7 over through 10 holes. The cause was a back injury. Day stopped play and did not complete his round.
Back injuries have followed Day throughout his career. He has dealt with the problem at various points over the past decade, and Thursday's withdrawal added another difficult chapter. Day had been considered a player with enough experience at major venues to contend, but he never got the chance to find his footing in the round.
The 126th U.S. Open continues at Shinnecock Hills with the second round still ahead for the rest of the field.
