Less familiar names to watch on the U.S. Open leaderboard

Naturally, conversation following Day 1 of the U.S. Open revolved mostly around Rory McIlroy’s rough outing and all the entertaining things that came out of Jordan Spieth’s mouth.

As Day 2 rolls along and play resumes after the soggy weather, the focus of course changes to who is do-si-do-ing atop the leaderboard. Dustin Johnson is flirting with having a dominant weekend with Lee Westwood right on his heels, while Sergio Garcia is not far behind.

The rest of the leaderboard, however, is packed with other characters that regular viewers and Open enthusiasts probably aren’t as familiar with. David Kindred wrote in a piece on first-round leader Andrew Landry for Golf Digest, “It’s always a ‘somebody named’ player who gets unexpected attention in an Open’s first round.”

This is true — and could also give way to said player having a landmark weekend. Or, he could be beaten by the likes of Johnson or Westwood, who continued to capitalize as play on Friday got underway.

Either way, here’s a look at a couple golfers looking to climb the leaderboard in Oakmont that deserve your attention.

The guy to beat…

With all the attention on the big stars and the stormy weather, 28-year-old Andrew Landry shot a sparkling 66 at rain-riddled Oakmont, the best round at the course in U.S. Open history, Yahoo! Sports reported. It was also reportedly the first time Landry placed inside the top 25 at a PGA tournament. Kindred summed up the University of Arkansas product's opening round:

“… starting at 6:56 a.m., Landry birdied his first hole, the 10th, and added a birdie at the 17th before going on a three-birdie run at the second, third, and fourth that put him three shots up on Bubba Watson. At that point, Landry had made as many birdies on the Open’s toughest course as he had made cuts this season. Bogeys at the seventh and eighth brought him back to the field, and he now will sleep on a 10-footer for a birdie and 66.”

It’s worth seeing how he fairs in Round 2, with the bulk of the attention turned to Johnson and Westwood at the start.

Also making a push for the purse…

29-year-old Irishman Shane Lowry has stayed within a couple shots of Landry through the continuation of Round 1, finishing at just two under par with four birdies on his card. He has gone back and forth being tied on the leaderboard with big favorite Garcia. A final pairing of the Spaniard with Johnson would make for must-see golf come Sunday.

But a couple golfers from stateside who are hanging around the top of the board can’t go unnoticed. Scott Piercy got a bit stung on No. 12, but don’t expect him to fall far away from the pack just yet.

The Youngster…

Scottie Scheffler, the 19-year-old amateur from University of Texas, is to the start of the Open what Bryson DeChambeau was to the start of this year’s Masters: a rookie with eccentricities as fascinating as his play. In addition to making headlines due to his sister being his caddie, Scheffler ended Round 1 with a 69, making him the third amateur in U.S. Open history to shoot in the 60s. It’s worth it to watch how he follows up that performance in the second round.

Don’t count out…

… Henrik Stenson or Bubba Watson. The “Big Swede” got off to a good start, punctuating his opening round with an eagle on No. 4. And Bubba, who tied for fifth when the Open was at Oakmont in 2007, is good at making a late jump in tourney play when others miss putts and whatnot. Also keep an eye on  young New Zealander Danny Lee, who has been at the back of the leading pack through Friday.