"That is cooked beyond belief," DeChambeau said. "That's more than half-baked there. That's burnt to a crisp."

For the fourth time in the last six years, the U.S. Open is being contested on a course restored or renovated by renowned designer Gil Hanse.

One surprise: Cohen is completely fading DeChambeau, even though he is the defending champion and one of the top favorites.

The U.S. Open began under partly cloudy skies on Thursday at challenging Oakmont Country Club where Bryson DeChambeau hopes to make a fast start to his title defence while tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler was hours from teeing off.