2021 US Open Thread

[Herman Cain]

The US Open this year is at Torrey Pines . Phil Mickelson has won there 3 times on the regular tour. He is putting in some hard work this year to try and capture that elusive US Open Championship.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mickelson-at-home-and-running-out-of-time-for-us-open-title

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

The US Open this year is at Torrey Pines . Phil Mickelson has won there 3 times on the regular tour. He is putting in some hard work this year to try and capture that elusive US Open Championship.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mickelson-at-home-and-running-out-of-time-for-us-open-title

The Travelers Championship has a great field this year.  Week after the US Open. 
Phil, Kopeka, DeChambeaux

[Herman Cain]

https://www.pgatour.com/expert-picks/2021/06/15/fantasy-golf-advice-tips-picks-2021-us-open-torrey-pines.html

[Herman Cain]

https://nypost.com/2021/06/16/lee-westwood-and-caddie-helen-storey-got-married-before-us-open/

[Herman Cain]

Koepka opens with a -2 at Torrey. Phil goes +4 . Half the field still has to tee off. b

[MuggsyB]

Scores are looking pretty low early.  The best hole I ever played in my life was #2 at TP-North.   I think it's the hardest hole on the course and it was dead against the wind about 430 yards.   I'm not a particularly big hitter so I had no chance of getting to the green in two on this Par 4.  I'm not sure I could with no wind.   I hit a solid low draw, and I was still like  240 yrds from the hole.  I literally cannot hit a 3 Wood from the deck so I launched my 4 hybrid on the 2nd shot.  To this day I have not hit a better shot and still have no clue how I pulled it off.  I absolutely tattooed the ball, another low draw, that got to about 30 yrds from the hole.   Then I played a bump and run that was a freaking thing of beauty.  It checked before rolling  with a slight left to right break and fell into the cup as if I was putting front 6 feet. I wound up with an 86 but for those three shots somebody up there liked me!

[Herman Cain]

Scores are looking pretty low early.  The best hole I ever played in my life was #2 at TP-North.   I think it's the hardest hole on the course and it was dead against the wind about 430 yards.   I'm not a particularly big hitter so I had no chance of getting to the green in two on this Par 4.  I'm not sure I could with no wind.   I hit a solid low draw, and I was still like  240 yrds from the hole.  I literally cannot hit a 3 Wood from the deck so I launched my 4 hybrid on the 2nd shot.  To this day I have not hit a better shot and still have no clue how I pulled it off.  I absolutely tattooed the ball, another low draw, that got to about 30 yrds from the hole.   Then I played a bump and run that was a freaking thing of beauty.  It checked before rolling  with a slight left to right break and fell into the cup as if I was putting front 6 feet. I wound up with an 86 but for those three shots somebody up there liked me!

Great round on a tough course

[Herman Cain]

https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/2021-u-s-open-scores-two-time-champion-brooks-koepka-ensures-peers-know-the-major-still-runs-through-him/

[MuggsyB]

Great round on a tough course

Thx Herman.  I did pretty well...but had a few debacle holes.

[Herman Cain]

Par is 71 this week.

[MuggsyB]

It would be nice to see Rory put up a decent 1st round score.

[Herman Cain]

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/31655281/phil-mickelson-bad-day-rory-mcilroy-good-day-comes-next-us-open

[MuggsyB]

Richard Bland is -5???  Who??

[cheebs09]

Richard Bland is -5???  Who??

He doesn’t sound like a very exciting player.

[MuggsyB]

He doesn’t sound like a very exciting player.

Lol.  I'm guessing he's not the betting favorite.

[MU82]

He doesn’t sound like a very exciting player.

Well he's no Eagle-producer like Henley ... no beast like Wolff ... no superhero like StreelMan ...

Ya can't use his name for a comedy sketch like Wu's On First ...

And he's neither an ED-drug pitchman like Fleetwood ... nor a porn-movie name like Woodland.

So yes, quite Bland in comparison!

[Dr. Blackheart]

He doesn’t sound like a very exciting player.

Not a good porn name either.

[Herman Cain]

Phil Mickelson hovering around the cut line +3 after 9 holes

[MuggsyB]

Phil Mickelson hovering around the cut line +3 after 9 holes

Lefty is in serious trouble Herman.  Maybe you should give him a  quick pep talk before he plays 14-18?

[tower912]

The cut going to +4 may save him. 

[MuggsyB]

The cut going to +4 may save him.

Oh...I didn't realize that.

[tower912]

No guarantees.  But I think that is what it will take for him to play the weekend.

[MuggsyB]

Two big par putts for Phil on 15 and 16.

[MuggsyB]

Schauffele can really pop it out there.  I think he just hit a low  cut about 325?  How?

[Herman Cain]

Phil finishes at +2 makes the cut . Looks like final cut will be +4 which brought a lot of guys back in .

[MuggsyB]

Phil finishes at +2 makes the cut . Looks like final cut will be +4 which brought a lot of guys back in .

Who ya got?  Lots of big names E or better. 

[Herman Cain]

Who ya got?  Lots of big names E or better.

I am thinking
Oosthuizen
Rahm
Schauffele

Guys from further back
Koepka
McIlroy

3rd round is where some of the leaders fall back and the guys who are playing well may make a move

This tournament is wide open though. We will start to see some double bogeys as guys press to hard.

[MuggsyB]

I am thinking
Oosthuizen
Rahm
Schauffele

Guys from further back
Koepka
McIlroy

3rd round is where some of the leaders fall back and the guys who are playing well may make a move

This tournament is wide open though. We will start to see some double bogeys as guys press to hard.

I like your list.  Louie-O may be the guy.

[Herman Cain]

+4 was the final cut, so Jordan Spieth will be playing on the weekend.

I just noticed that Bubba Watson is at -3. Not normally a US Open type player, but he plays on  a lot of emotion so maybe he can be there at the end.

[tower912]

But he has played decently at this course over the years.

[Herman Cain]

But he has played decently at this course over the years.

Would love to see it come down to the last hole with Bubba Watson aiming at the pin in two

[MuggsyB]

But he has played decently at this course over the years.

Who ya got Tower?

Any chance JT finds a way at E?

[Herman Cain]

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/31662287/who-packed-us-open-leaderboard-chance-why-get-done

[MuggsyB]

It looks like the course is playing pretty easy for these guys and it doesn't appear the wind will pick up much.  There's a 64 out there.

[Herman Cain]

Pressure will start happening on back nine for the leaders.

[🏀]

Pressure will start happening on back nine for the leadere

Zinger is on Scoop?

[Herman Cain]

Rory clocks in with a nice 67. Looks very comfortable in the interview. Says he likes this course.

[MuggsyB]

This just got real interesting with De Charcuterie and Rory in the mix.   Could be anyone's game tomorrow.......unless Henley gets to -9?

[Herman Cain]

https://www.si.com/golf/news/round-3-brings-familiar-faces-into-u-s-open-fight

[MU82]

Pretty cool leaderboard. Hoping for a great finish.

[MU82]

Can Dan Hicks and the rest of NBC's team PLEASE stop referencing what Tiger did in 2008?

It was mildly interesting the first 20 times. Now, these next 500 times, it's just repetitive and dopey. Not to mention totally irrelevant to what's going on this weekend.

[🏀]

NBC sucks.

[Herman Cain]

Justin Thomas sneaking up the leaderboard . Might be the kind of guy to post a score and the leaders fall to him…..

I think this is going to be quite a finish.NBC should promote the uniqueness of having so many people in contention

[🏀]

-7 wins.

[cheebs09]

NBC sucks.

I was a touch worried Matthew Wolff fell into the Pacific. He seems to be only on the “if he makes a birdie putt” viewing package.

[MU82]

What a leaderboard!

As I write this , four tied at -4 and another half-dozen at -3.

I’m liking McIlroy. He’s putting the best.

[MuggsyB]

What a leaderboard!

As I write this , four tied at -4 and another half-dozen at -3.

I’m liking McIlroy. He’s putting the best.

I'm following on the golf course.  Wow.  -5 wins it?  Doesn't look like there are a lot of birdies out there.  I'm rooting for Rory.

[Herman Cain]

I guess Thomas didn’t sneak up and post a score lol

Rootin for Rory.

[Uncle Rico]

What a leaderboard!

As I write this , four tied at -4 and another half-dozen at -3.

I’m liking McIlroy. He’s putting the best.

Torrey Pines is a terrible US Open venue

[Herman Cain]

Torrey Pines is a terrible US Open venue

Just curious, is the reason you think it’s a lousy venue, because do you prefer the course just destroys  all the players at a US Open? A traditional brute of a course that yields lots of doubles and triples?

[Uncle Rico]

Just curious, is the reason you think it’s a lousy venue, because do you prefer the course just destroys  all the players at a US Open? A traditional brute of a course that yields lots of doubles and triples?

I don’t mind scoring being what it is.  These guys are good!  The problem is, the course looks like it does in January with more rough.  The cliffs aren’t ever really in play without a terrible shot.  The bunkers aren’t much of a hazard, either.  The pond on 18 is artificial in just about every way.  I know they want more west coast venues and LACC could be the answer but I think Torrey is pretty ordinary

[tower912]

Last man standing.

[Herman Cain]

I don’t mind scoring being what it is.  These guys are good!  The problem is, the course looks like it does in January with more rough.  The cliffs aren’t ever really in play without a terrible shot.  The bunkers aren’t much of a hazard, either.  The pond on 18 is artificial in just about every way.  I know they want more west coast venues and LACC could be the answer but I think Torrey is pretty ordinary

All very good points.

[Jockey]

I don't even choke this bad.

[Uncle Rico]

I don't even choke this bad.

It’s unbelievable.  I don’t think it’s good enough but if I were Harris English, I’d hang around for awhile

[🏀]

Just curious, is the reason you think it’s a lousy venue, because do you prefer the course just destroys  all the players at a US Open? A traditional brute of a course that yields lots of doubles and triples?

It's a boring ass golf course that is reveled because of it's owners. We're watching a Farmers, not a US Open.

[MuggsyB]

I don't even choke this bad.

I missed it....what happened?

[MuggsyB]

What was that by Rahm from the bunker?

[PGsHeroes32]

Rahm got stones.

[MU82]

Effen clutch by Rahm!!

Let’s see what L’il Looie can do.

[MuggsyB]

Wow.....money putt there.

[MuggsyB]

Is De Charcuterie the one who choked?? 

[MuggsyB]

+8 on the back 9 for De Charcuterie?,  Are my eyes accurate?

[PGsHeroes32]

Huge putt by Louis to keep it interesting.

[Uncle Rico]

Rahm went out and took this tournament by the throat.  Everyone else vomited all
over themselves but Rahm won this.  Both things are true about this US Open

[MuggsyB]

Huge putt by Louis to keep it interesting.

Can he play that ball on 17? 

[PGsHeroes32]

And Louis is done

[MuggsyB]

That hurt.  Props to Rahm.

[tower912]

+8 on the back 9 for De Charcuterie?,  Are my eyes accurate?

They are.   It was glorious.

[MU82]

Rahm went out and took this tournament by the throat.  Everyone else vomited all
over themselves but Rahm won this.  Both things are true about this US Open

Yessir, Unk. Great finish by Rahm, and I’m happy for him. Choke-A-Thon by others.

All Looie had to do was drive it on the fairway on 17, which he had done all day, and he’d have had a great chance.

I have to admit that I enjoyed BC’s meltdown, too. The one shot he hit sideways reminded me so much of something I’d have done!

[🏀]

Rahm went out and took this tournament by the throat.  Everyone else vomited all
over themselves but Rahm won this.  Both things are true about this US Open

Hole 9 begs to differ. Rahm was on tilt, blasts one so far OB it’s off property. Gets a free drop, birdies and is suddenly alive.

[Chili]

Torrey Pines is a terrible US Open venue

This is very true. If they hired a real architect it could be cool - but it's boring AF. Such a ho hum round. The only exciting things were JR's 2 birdies on the 71st and 72nd.

As was mentioned, hoping LACC finally gives the USGA their great West Coast venue. I really hope they give Erin Hills another shot. I am sure if they were out there this year with the drought we've had it has to be playing firm AF. Get that ball a rolling!!!!!

[Herman Cain]

Rahm did a great job when it counted . It is also nice to see him when after the unfortunate disqualification incident at The Memorial .

Now that Rahm has his future major win under the belt , he may have a few more  coming . 

[tower912]

Guido Migliozzi rules.   

[MU82]

Rahm was on tilt, blasts one so far OB it’s off property. Gets a free drop, birdies and is suddenly alive.

Have seen this many times in PGA tournaments, big and small. It's one of the many advantages the pros have over the rest of us schlubs, right along with a gallery that helps them find their golf balls.

The fact that Rahm settled down and took advantage of this break said a lot about his frame of mind. The way he played 17 and 18 was masterful, capped by incredible putts on each.

A deserving U.S. Open champion, and a guy who will win more majors.