U.S. Open starts at Oakmont, thunderstorms likely later

Jun 15, 2016; Oakmont, PA, USA; Dustin Johnson hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the practice rounds on Wednesday of the 2016 U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont CC. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - U.S. Open organisers were preparing for the likelihood of further rain and thunderstorms as the 116th edition of the year's second major got underway at the treacherous Oakmont Country Club on Thursday.

Under clear skies, sectional qualifier Danny McCarthy struck the first shot on the par-four opening hole and fellow American Andres Gonzales began proceedings at the 10th to launch the ninth U.S. Open to be played on the iconic par-70 layout.