US Open Thread

[Herman Cain]

I like that Shinnecock Hills proudly uses an an Indian Warrior in their logo.

Tiger opens with an 8 over round . The course was playing tough average score was 6 over. I think he rallies tomorrow and makes the cut as he was not striking the ball poorly. The course is brutal and any slight miss around Greens is magnified.

[GGGG]

I like that Shinnecock Hills proudly uses an an Indian Warrior in their logo.

Kshatriya?

[rocket surgeon]

  kind of fun to watch these guys work hard toward par.  classic u.s. open.  betcha they miss erin hills eyn'a?

[Goose]

My favorite Open course. Next decade is all classic courses. I am already planning to attend when they hit Los Angeles CC. Might end up being a special venue.

[🏀]

  kind of fun to watch these guys work hard toward par.  classic u.s. open.  betcha they miss erin hills eyn'a?

This could've been Erin Hills, if it didn't rain for a week and actually had the average prevailing wind.

This is fun, I was too busy to pay close attention today, but super excited for the weekend. You're supposed to be alone on Father's Day, right?

[MU82]

This could've been Erin Hills, if it didn't rain for a week and actually had the average prevailing wind.

This is fun, I was too busy to pay close attention today, but super excited for the weekend. You're supposed to be alone on Father's Day, right?

My Father's Day "present" for the last many years has been for everybody to leave me alone so I can watch the U.S. Open while I enjoy various bad-for-me foods and my favorite malt beverages. This year will be no different!

I really don't care if the "big names" are there or not on Sunday, but I do want it to be an exciting finish. I hate when one guy runs away with it, like Koepka did last year.

Now that they have extra holes rather than a whole 'nother round, I'm hoping for a tie after 72.

[Goose]

PTM

Erin Hills still has great potential. If they had played at par 70, which they will next time, the overall response of the tournament would have been much better. As for prevailing wind, I am not so sure that comes into play as much at Erin. I have played there many times and have experienced a mixed bag in terms of wind.

[rocket surgeon]

speaking of erin, didn't they heed to the complaints about the thickness of the fescue before the party even started?  i thought i remember them showing them hacking it down and thinning it out some just days before the big dance

  anyone hear what the stimp is at shinnecock this weekend?  has got to be around 16? hell, the fake fronts are ??? 

happy fathers day to all you old(and young) codgers out there!!

[Goose]

MU82

I have had the same Father’s Day gift from my family. My sons have become big golfers and bigger fans of the first three majors, and I know have a crew watching with me. This year we starting out with golf in the morning, followed by non stop couch time watching the Open.

[tower912]

It was fun watching and thinking 'hey, I can make 7 from the middle of the fairway too'.  Good thing they slowed the greens down.

[🏀]

Goose

Erin Hills potential isn't in question, it's a great track. Another gem for the state of Wisconsin. As for the wind, I've played there twice now. Had wind and didn't have wind. When it comes it blows. My company had a crew on-site doing some speciality work two weeks prior to the event and then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday making emergency repairs. I got a chance to head up there a couple times the week before and the wind was HOWLING each time. It was a great experience going out there before the event, chilling. Walked the course once to scope out watching areas, I thought the pros were going to get torn apart watching them practice.

The guys out there that week voiced concerns, and the USGA listened unfortunately. The mowers came out, like rocket said. I then went on course Wednesday for the practice rounds. Followed Rickie, JT and Duf. They were tearing it apart, a complete 180 from what I saw the week before.

Side note - our efforts have been removed or covered up at Erin Hills during the reconstruction. The areas that were covered up were GPS'ed so that they can be recovered for next time.

[Goose]

PTM

No doubt the wind can howl there, but it cannot be taken for granted. Make par 70 and narrow fairways, make greens a tad smaller and it would difficult task with or without wind. My point was the wind is not a given there and banking on that is rolling the dice. I would say that it has been 50-50 in regards to being windy when I have played there over the years. I would guess I have 20+ rounds there and I love the track.

[Mr. Nielsen]

FOX Sports Go is great for multiple screens of the US Open. FS1 and featured groups screens.

[MU82]

MU82

I have had the same Father’s Day gift from my family. My sons have become big golfers and bigger fans of the first three majors, and I know have a crew watching with me. This year we starting out with golf in the morning, followed by non stop couch time watching the Open.

Yes, it was fun watching with my son when he started showing an interest and we all lived in the same house/town. But now that I'm 700 miles away, I've got to fly solo ... and that's fine.

You're lucky to have a crew of loved ones there; I envy how you spend your Sunday.

When should I come over?

[tower912]

Tigers comeback still a work in progress.

[Goose]

MU82

Always welcome to join!!

[MU82]

Truly is amazing to think that it's been 10 years since Tiger won a major.

I mean, if any of us had said in 2008, "Tiger's toast; he'll never win another major," we'd have been shipped to the looney bin.

[tower912]

I wonder what kind of odds Vegas would have given on 0 majors for Tiger for the next decade back in 08.

[tower912]

Matt Parziale makes the cut.

[🏀]

Not quite building up to a Masters like finish, but it'll be a fun weekend.

[Herman Cain]

Tiger hit the ball well but had enough mistakes to miss the cut. I think he will do better at the British Open.

In the meantime will be interesting to see if Dustin Johnson can continue to play well during the weekend. The Guys behind him have to stay steady and Post pars.

[D'Lo Brown]

Tiger hit the ball well but had enough mistakes to miss the cut. I think he will do better at the British Open.

In the meantime will be interesting to see if Dustin Johnson can continue to play well during the weekend. The Guys behind him have to stay steady and Post pars.

Agree. Tough course. Chewed up and spit out a bunch of world class golfers. I'm not giving up on Sergio, Spieth, Day, Kuchar, et al yet either. Can't just look at +10 and say he's finished. Worth continuing to follow the storyline.

[tower912]

A couple of costly mistakes and poor putting for Tiger. I think he will do better at Carnoustie, as traditionally, British Opens have slower, flatter greens.   

[rocket surgeon]

some of the best golfers in the world got humbled by shinnecock.  what does this really mean?  that they aren't really that good?  spieth and lefty are obviously struggling, but otherwise, i would have thought that shinnecock would be in their wheel house. 

  macllroy, watson, jason day et.el tried to over power the course

you could feel the tension in the air-what was the over/under of clubs rahm would break?

[tower912]

Phil was let down by his putting, just like Tiger.  They showed him still on the putting green at 7:20, still putting, but with a conventional grip and not the claw.  You know he is frustrated when he is contemplating a grip change between rounds at a major.
The first two rounds were distinguished by the number of putts missed and lack of bombs.  Also forgotten is how close DJ came to a lost ball in the first round before Rich Beem stepped on it in the horse.  That could have been a momentum changer.

[MU82]

This is shaping up as something that will not please me on Sunday - a one-man runaway. I am hoping that Johnson struggles mightily today and/or a few others step up to challenge him.

Sunday's back-9 in a several-players-can-win U.S. Open is one of my favorite things to watch in all of sports.

Johnson winning by 9 strokes would not do much for me. I'm all about the drama.

[jsglow]

Tigers comeback still a work in progress.

Tiger comeback will never happen.  It's only the media that keeps his story alive.

http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/23804519/tiger-woods-played-poorly-2018-us-open-days-winning-major-championships-not-over

Could he win a few tournaments in the next 2-5 years?  Sure.  Can he compete at the highest level to be considered a 'favorite' at a major?  Um, no.

[tower912]

I am on the fence on that.    'Comeback' is a loosely defined term in this case.     Will he ever be the Tiger he was 1997-2008?    No.   Hell, no.   Will he win a couple of tournaments and contend at Augusta and maybe a couple of other majors where the course suits his eye and game (Pebble)?    Probably.     I don't see him winning more than one more major.     I still remember as a young lad the excitement when Arnie would get near the lead of a tournament or major even though he hadn't won one in a decade.    Tiger still generates that kind of interest and it is in the golf media's interest to push the 'Tiger comeback' narrative. 

[Goose]

Tower

I am mostly with you. I am hoping that Tiger gives us more excitement over the weekend in upcoming majors. I vividly remembering being glued to the set when Jack would get intention in the twilight of his career. Watching Norman and Watson almost win the British was must watch TV for me. I have my fingers crossed Tiger gives me reason to be glued to the TV.

MU82
I completely agree. This golf course is meant to have a battle on the back nine on Sunday. I am pulling for anyone to get close at this point.

[jsglow]

I am on the fence on that.    'Comeback' is a loosely defined term in this case.     Will he ever be the Tiger he was 1997-2008?    No.   Hell, no.   Will he win a couple of tournaments and contend at Augusta and maybe a couple of other majors where the course suits his eye and game (Pebble)?    Probably.     I don't see him winning more than one more major.     I still remember as a young lad the excitement when Arnie would get near the lead of a tournament or major even though he hadn't won one in a decade.    Tiger still generates that kind of interest and it is in the golf media's interest to push the 'Tiger comeback' narrative.

I think that's probably a fair assessment.  Jack was 46 when he won at Augusta and that was considered a truly extraordinary accomplishment.  So let's say Tiger has about a 'baker's dozen' plausible shots left.  He could get one.  But he's going to need to elevate his game reasonably quickly.  Making cuts is a very long way from seriously contending on the Sunday of a major.  I look at it this way.  I have zero expectation that Stricker can win a major or even be in the conversation.  But he made the cut in his 50s and is playing at least as well as Tiger.

[tower912]

I think we agree in principle.   Now, to start a slightly different discussion,   I think Phil has a better chance than Tiger does of winning another major. 

[GGGG]

Nicklaus was 46 when he won the Masters in 1986. Tom Watson should have won the Open at 59. Tiger is 43. Of course he could win a major. It will just be difficult. 

[jsglow]

I think we agree in principle.   Now, to start a slightly different discussion,   I think Phil has a better chance than Tiger does of winning another major.

Agree, much better chance.

Nicklaus was 46 when he won the Masters in 1986. Tom Watson should have won the Open at 59. Tiger is 43. Of course he could win a major. It will just be difficult. 

Should have?  I remember Tom being solidly 'in it' but I don't recall him letting it get away.

I guess all I'm saying that there's a ocean's difference between the possibility of winning a major and being a 'favorite' to win.  If I'm not mistaken, Tiger was one of the 5-7 'favorites' in Vegas for the Masters.  Now that's a phenomenon of how the books works but there's NO way those were legitimate odds.  I think we all agree on the true parameters.

[GGGG]

Should have?  I remember Tom being solidly 'in it' but I don't recall him letting it get away.

He had a lead only needing par on the 18th to win it.  He bogeyed and lost in the playoffs.

[jsglow]

He had a lead only needing par on the 18th to win it.  He bogeyed and lost in the playoffs.

Really, I'm not remembering that at all.

Edit:  What I was thinking about was Augusta but you're right about across the pond the year before.

[GGGG]

Strange and Azinger acting like Mickelson killed someone.  God golf people can be so annoying.

[tower912]

He was out of it.   He took his penalty.   He moved on.   

[rocket surgeon]

He was out of it.   He took his penalty.   He moved on.

  absolutely-could you imagine he did this at "the open"?? 

  andrew "beef" johnston had an excellent point of view

http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/23814574/the-phil-mickelson-mess-2018-us-open-eyes-playing-partner-andrew-beef-johnston

[MUEng92]

From my point of view there are three kinds of people who spend more than 3 minutes talking about what Phil did from a sports philosophical viewpoint. 1) People who need to get a life 2) People who host radio/TV shows catering to people without a life and 3)... nope, turns out there are only two kinds of people.

Now let's talk about the people who scream stupid things after every golf shot.  That will be the actual downfall of golf!

[rocket surgeon]

this is where golf loses a lot of people-i fully understand the tradition of golf and it's rules.  but when you have to defer to rule 14.14.a.23.zy and then move to corollary 15.12.wtf which of course depends on what ya mean by moving is is and...then debate whether he should be dq'd...2 stroke penalty...next

[tower912]

That is what a US Open course is supposed to look like.  Love the carnage.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/m/d3a4a56b-294e-39da-a97c-32f446014bef/ss_usga-apologizes-for-unfair.html

Looks like the USGA is admitting the course got away from them a little.    Will this be able to supplant Phil as the narrative?

[Lennys Tap]

He had a lead only needing par on the 18th to win it.  He bogeyed and lost in the playoffs.

Yep - and he striped his drive down the middle on 18, then hit a perfect (he and everyone else thought) 8 iron that landed in the front/middle of the green. Instead of checking up it took one big bounce, then trickled off the back down the hill a bit. His chip was only fair, leaving him a 6 or 7 footer for the win. Like Scott Norwood he missed it wide right - didn't even scare the hole. Never had a chance in the playoff - he was done.

[GGGG]

  absolutely-could you imagine he did this at "the open"?? 

  andrew "beef" johnston had an excellent point of view

http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/23814574/the-phil-mickelson-mess-2018-us-open-eyes-playing-partner-andrew-beef-johnston

Exactly.  Nice article. 

[Herman Cain]

Just got back from spending the day at Shinnecock.

The players had to be incredibly precise with their irons.  The penalty for being in the wrong location on or around the greens was  severe.

I thought most of the leaders were pretty focused and didn’t let the course get in their head. Justin Rose seemed to have a decent amount of confidence.

I spoke to some USGA people who said they were going to try and set the course up easier tomorrow but that may be easier said than done.  I still think it will be baked out when the last few groups tee off.

[rocket surgeon]

That is what a US Open course is supposed to look like.  Love the carnage.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/m/d3a4a56b-294e-39da-a97c-32f446014bef/ss_usga-apologizes-for-unfair.html

Looks like the USGA is admitting the course got away from them a little.    Will this be able to supplant Phil as the narrative?

Ok, after reading this article, the usga is admitting to basically setting up the pin placements to what they thought would be the weather conditions...and someone was wrong?  What?  The weather people are to blame?  Those pin placements on the mentioned holes were rediculous regardless of the drying conditions.  This will be really interesting to watch tomorrow.  I think a lot of the players skipped the putting green after their round and scheduled a couple hour session with their psychological coach to straighten out their heads, right Phil?

http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/23814794/us-open-zach-johnson-vents-shinnecock-hills-conditions

[rocket surgeon]

Just got back from spending the day at Shinnecock.

The players had to be incredibly precise with their irons.  The penalty for being in the wrong location on or around the greens was  severe.

I thought most of the leaders were pretty focused and didn’t let the course get in their head. Justin Rose seemed to have a decent amount of confidence.

I spoke to some USGA people who said they were going to try and set the course up easier tomorrow but that may be easier said than done.  I still think it will be baked out when the last few groups tee off.

I forget which event I was watching a few years ago, but I remember Jordan spieth waiting to hit his approach shot on a hole,while they hosed down the greens.  Don’t be surprised if you see some of that tomorrow.

Pretty cool you were out there Herman, but I think the players were a little more smoked than they lead on to be.  They looked to be beyond pissed and as beef said, ya had to laugh, otherwise you were crying

[D'Lo Brown]

Ok, after reading this article, the usga is admitting to basically setting up the pin placements to what they thought would be the weather conditions...and someone was wrong?  What?  The weather people are to blame?  Those pin placements on the mentioned holes were rediculous regardless of the drying conditions.  This will be really interesting to watch tomorrow.  I think a lot of the players skipped the putting green after their round and scheduled a couple hour session with their psychological coach to straighten out their heads, right Phil?

http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/23814794/us-open-zach-johnson-vents-shinnecock-hills-conditions

I cede to most everyone's golf knowledge here, but damn, weren't the greens burnt to hell? I mean, I'm sure the wind didn't help any with drying them out even further, but, that damage was already done. I am not an expert in grass but I have to imagine that crispy, burned, dead grass requires water.

My point is, anyone from the USGA/etc that blames it primarily on the weather seems to be trying to damage control and remove the target from themselves.

[WarriorFan]

Will this finally be the year when the members of this amazing course sue the USGA after the open for destroying their course?  Surely it will need to close for at least a month to recover. 

I personally don't enjoy the US Open at all.  They go to a great course and set it up in a way that it's not so much golf, but "Survivor" on a golf course. 

[rocket surgeon]

I cede to most everyone's golf knowledge here, but damn, weren't the greens burnt to hell? I mean, I'm sure the wind didn't help any with drying them out even further, but, that damage was already done. I am not an expert in grass but I have to imagine that crispy, burned, dead grass requires water.

My point is, anyone from the USGA/etc that blames it primarily on the weather seems to be trying to damage control and remove the target from themselves.

a good observation d'lo-adding moisture to these greens along with pin placements should help the immediate issue somewhat.  these greens are purposely structured to force the players to play target golf.  they have to hit specific areas in order for the green to hold the ball or feed it to an area where they can make a putt.  some refer to it as "postage stamp" golf because that area in this case at shinnecock is very very small.  in some case almost non-existent as you saw good shots end up 20 yards off the green.

also, they have moisture sectors.  some built in to the greens so they can monitor them during the rounds in order to keep them fair throughout the match.  i believe that is what had duringthat round i was watching in which they watered the green ahead of spieth's approach shot mid round.  as you could see yesterday, the players with the early start and this the worst scores coming off the cut, were rewarded.  they played an entirely different/easier course than those who played it later in the day

whether or not the course was ruined by allowing the greens to get too dry remains to be seen.  unless someone follows up on that situation, we will probably never know.  this course is 120 years old however, right?

[Herman Cain]

Koepka has ice water in his veins .  He just keeps making solid shots and putts.

[MU82]

Koepka has ice water in his veins .  He just keeps making solid shots and putts.

Yep. Impossible not to be impressed by Koepka. He earned the victory in an interesting and difficult tournament.

[tower912]

Koepka won it.  He made the shots he needed to.  Well done.

[🏀]

So, Koepka going to disappear until it's time to get ready for Pebble next year?

Guy's got it made.

[pbiflyer]

Guy's from the same high school as me. Now same city. Good to see a local kid do well.

[GGGG]

So, Koepka going to disappear until it's time to get ready for Pebble next year?

Guy's got it made.

Kinda like Andy North.

[🏀]

Kinda like Andy North.

Bingo.

[rocket surgeon]

andy north won the wisconsin state amateur championship at merrill hills cc(waukesha) in a match play final in 1969.  merrill hills is my home course and has some of the most difficult greens you'll see next to saturday's round at shinnecock depending on how the owner, jack gaudion wants them-usually as slippery as possible 

[MU82]

So, Koepka going to disappear until it's time to get ready for Pebble next year?

Guy's got it made.

Well, since becoming a full-time tour member in 2014, Koepka does have 12 top-3 finishes and 27 top 10s. He has finished in the top 5 of the PGA Championship twice and has 4 other top-15s in majors in addition to his 2 US Open wins. He also went 3-1 in the 2016 Ryder Cup.

So he's not exactly some mystery golfer who only comes out at U.S. Open time.

Great golfer, and he hasn't even entered his prime.

[🏀]

Well, since becoming a full-time tour member in 2014, Koepka does have 12 top-3 finishes and 27 top 10s. He has finished in the top 5 of the PGA Championship twice and has 4 other top-15s in majors in addition to his 2 US Open wins. He also went 3-1 in the 2016 Ryder Cup.

So he's not exactly some mystery golfer who only comes out at U.S. Open time.

Great golfer, and he hasn't even entered his prime.

I was more alluding that BK lightened his schedule after Erin Hills, then was injured. We've hardly seen him since Erin Hills. He's only played in 14 tour events in the past year.

[MU82]

I was more alluding that BK lightened his schedule after Erin Hills, then was injured. We've hardly seen him since Erin Hills. He's only played in 14 tour events in the past year.

I understand.

I'm guessing that if he's healthy, he'll play more. Seems to be real good at golf, and seems to like it, too!

[NorthernDancerColt]

andy north won the wisconsin state amateur championship at merrill hills cc(waukesha) in a match play final in 1969.  merrill hills is my home course and has some of the most difficult greens you'll see next to saturday's round at shinnecock depending on how the owner, jack gaudion wants them-usually as slippery as possible

You haven't seen anything until you play The Concession in Bradenton, FL. Named after Jack Nicklaus's concession of a short RyderCup putt to England's Tony Jacklin to halve the match (US retained possession and Jack would've never given the putt if it meant losing).

It's a private course, built around 2003...and each green has its own Sub-Air humidity control system. The greens are probably more undulating than Augusta National's. To get on, simply feign interest in a homesite. Or, get a hold of Bruce Cassidy, who made his fortune with new patents on mining drill bits. Great guy from West Virginia. I worked at Concession for a few winters, and putting on and chipping onto those greens probably cut 4-5 strokes off my handicap.