BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — The U.S. Open is using the top of the world ranking for one of its star groups next week at Congressional. Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer will play together the first two rounds.
They are the three players who have been No. 1 since Tiger Woods relinquished the top spot in November.
It’s the first time the U.S. Open has put together Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in the world since 2008 at Torrey Pines, when Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott were in the same group.
Woods is not playing the tournament because of lingering leg injuries.
Phil Mickelson will be in the group with Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, two players who have shot at least 80 with a 54-hole lead in the major. Defending champion Graeme McDowell is with British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and U.S. Amateur champion Peter Uihlein.