Let’s have a moment for the faces we won’t see live this weekend: Rahm, Sergio, Kuuuuuuch, JDay, Bubba, Rory, Tiger, et al. Shinnecock Hills wasn’t manageable for everyone this week, so let’s get right to those who did take a swig and smile. The 5 things we learned on Friday at the U.S. Open all deal with survivors of the 36-hole cut. Feast!

5) Tommy Fleetwood is more than hair

If you haven’t followed the rise of Sir Thomas of Fleetwood, do a wiki search and catch up. When Fleetwood wins, he does so with the command of a field general. He measures the course with acuity and executes a plan of battle with efficient movement. His Friday-morning 66 was brilliant stuff. Five birdies against one bogey was precisely what he needed to return to contention. On Thursday, he might have gone away with consecutive bogeys on 11, 12 and 13, followed by another at 15. Instead, he birdied the 16th and made his way to the clubhouse at 5-over. His 9-shot, overnight improvement is what he is likely to shoot, not what he is capable of posting. Expect Fleetwood to join the fray in full on Saturday afternoon. He might even be in the final pairing by day’s end.

Another birdie ??
A 66 ??@TommyFleetwood1 finished fourth in last year's #USOpen. We have a feeling he wasn't satisfied. pic.twitter.com/IM5Gm5KoDF

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018

4) Dustin Johnson is golf’s Buddy the Elf

It may not make sense to you, but it does to me. And my goodness, what an elf! The 2016 U.S. Open champion made bogey at the first hole, the fourth-easiest hole on day one. Only the par 5s (5 and 16) and the 4th hole were kinder than the opener. After that, it was back to red figures. Johnson surgically separated himself from par with birdies at the par-3 7th and 11th holes (the Vegas Toss), and the aforementioned 4th and 16th, to authorize a scorecard of 67 and a 2-day total of 136. At 1:44 p.m., EST, I make this claim: Johnson will win the doily for 36-hole medalist. If he doesn’t, I’ll send three of you a doily. Details on that contest to be determined. Do you remember that eerie calm that Johnson possessed, as the marsupials of rules attempted to steal the 2016 Open from him? It never left, and it will serve him well this weekend. When a long hitter takes pride in his wedge game, props must be given. Hail, Elf! Let’s get that #DJTheElf hashtag started.

That #FridayFeeling when you've made your fourth birdie and lead the #USOpen by 3.

Live scoring: https://t.co/6NZAT5cq9q pic.twitter.com/goJKkQQygM

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018

3) 1-2-3-7-9-11-12-14-17…Give up?

Half of the world’s top-20 professional golfers are in the top-20 of the U.S. Open. From top-ranked Dustin Johnson to the 17th ranked pro, Marc Leishman, representation seems about right. So much for couch putters who say that Shinnecock is unfair, that it isn’t a proper test, that its fairways are too narrowly wide, its greens too firmly soft. Or was it softly firm? For pity’s sake~ Once again, the U.S. Open has taken on the task of identifying the world’s best golfers. Thirteen of the top-20-and-ties fly the USA flag; five wave the English banner, and the rest raise the stars, bars, etc. of Sweden, Australia and Scotland. Not a bad spread for a decent event, on a playable course. Next candidate for controversy is …

Rickie birdied. Then he bogeyed. Then he birdied again. Stop messing with our emotions, @RickieFowler. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/QnkkKc8rBh

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018

2) No putt today will be greater than this one

Matt Parziale is you, me, her, him…or at least who we want to be. And not for the golf. He’s a fire fighter from Massachusetts. He’s the reigning USGA Mid-Amateur champion. He missed the cut in April at the Masters, although he did leave town with some crystal, thanks to a Friday eagle at the 13th. With the birdie on 18, he guaranteed himself a spot in the field for the final two days of the U.S. Open. After Shinny, will any tournament measure up? Congratulations, #LadderCompany1 of #BrocktonMassachusetts. Your favorite son has done you proud once again.

Somebody call 9-1-1. Parziale burning on the dance floor. The ????????? and reigning #USMidAm champion from Brockton, Mass., birdies 18 to finish 7 under! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/XoIcAmXnmI

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018

1) The one who will win their first major is… 

Ian Poulter, who sits at T4? That disastrous triple-single finish may be tough to put behind him, but if there’s anyone who can do, it’s Poults. Maybe Scott Piercy (T2), who salvaged a back nine of 3-over 38 with a front nine of two-under 33. That’s pretty sweet. Charley Hoffman (T2) has challenged in the past at Augusta, and seems to always find himself on major leader boards; can he finally close the door and get it done? Studs Fleetwood and Rickie Fowler, both sitting at 2-over, are within earshot, but they have to maneuver through the group of been-there-done-that major winners all sitting at 1-over; that group includes Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Brooks Koepka. Aside from DJ, who may run away with it and ruin our fun, it’s a packed leaderboard sprinkled with vets, winners and hopefuls. Here’s to a great Father’s Day weekend!