OAKMONT, Pa. — As Phil Mickelson, aka Lefty, aka Phil the Thrill, aka FIGJAM, aka one of the two most famous golfers of the 21st century, teed off Thursday in what might be his final U.S. Open, there were more security guards than journalists following him. And there were two security guards.

Rory McIlroy has cut a frustrated figure at the U.S. Open and Scottie Scheffler has explained why the Northern Irishman is struggling following his own PGA Championship win

All three were between seven and eight shots behind the leader, and all were in danger of being cut Friday. The U.S. Open remains golf’s cruelest test.