The US Open

[il Padrino Ute]

It's not until next week, but I can't help but start talking about it, as I received in the mail today my Official Souvenir Program for the Open. It's at Bethpage Black Course - the same course as in 2002 when the golfers really griped about the condition of the course with the longer than usual rough and drier than usual greens. Tiger won it that year and was the only one to finish under par - he was at -3 277 for the tournament. Word is that the folks at Bethpage are working to make the rough even longer and the greens even drier.

Any thoughts from you folks about this year's open?

I'm going to have to go with the easy prediction and say Tiger is the guy to beat. He's the defending champion and after what he did yesterday, he's looking like he could be near or at the top of his game in two weeks. I would say Mickelson could be in the running, but with the health of his wife right now, he has more important things on his mind.

I'm going to guess that the darkhorse is Mike Weir. He's played in 10 Opens and has 3 top 10 finishes. Bethpage is the kind of course on which he plays really well because he manages rather than overpowers the course.

[byu71]

I have a good friend who is in the last stages of qualifying today. If he makes it, there will be a good chance a few of us will go back to the tournament.

I have never been to one of the majors.

[cougjunkie]

It's not until next week, but I can't help but start talking about it, as I received in the mail today my Official Souvenir Program for the Open. It's at Bethpage Black Course - the same course as in 2002 when the golfers really griped about the condition of the course with the longer than usual rough and drier than usual greens. Tiger won it that year and was the only one to finish under par - he was at -3 277 for the tournament. Word is that the folks at Bethpage are working to make the rough even longer and the greens even drier.

Any thoughts from you folks about this year's open?

I'm going to have to go with the easy prediction and say Tiger is the guy to beat. He's the defending champion and after what he did yesterday, he's looking like he could be near or at the top of his game in two weeks. I would say Mickelson could be in the running, but with the health of his wife right now, he has more important things on his mind.

I'm going to guess that the darkhorse is Mike Weir. He's played in 10 Opens and has 3 top 10 finishes. Bethpage is the kind of course on which he plays really well because he manages rather than overpowers the course.

I just read on ESPN that Bethpage shortened the rough so that the players can actually go for the green and not just chip out the fairway if they end up there. Also they lengthened the course after 2002 as well, Tiger played a practice round there this morning.

[il Padrino Ute]

I just read on ESPN that Bethpage shortened the rough so that the players can actually go for the green and not just chip out the fairway if they end up there. Also they lengthened the course after 2002 as well, Tiger played a practice round there this morning.

Ok, I had heard differently about the rough, but that was a couple of months ago. Bummer. I like seeing the pros struggle like the rest of us hacks.

[cougjunkie]

Ok, I had heard differently about the rough, but that was a couple of months ago. Bummer. I like seeing the pros struggle like the rest of us hacks.

Here is the quote from ESPn.com

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=4240980

The Black Course has been lengthened to 7,426 yards since 2002. It features graduated rough that should allow players to reach the green instead of hacking out to the fairway.

[Fiyero]

I have never been to one of the majors.

If the infamous "get in the hole" guy is there, shouting that phrase every time Tiger swings the club even when teeing off 500 yards away, I will personally pay you $100 to punch him in the face, and $500 if you knock him out cold. In fact you'll probably become an instant celebrity and certainly worshipped on the Jim Rome show.

[byu71]

If the infamous "get in the hole" guy is there, shouting that phrase every time Tiger swings the club even when teeing off 500 yards away, I will personally pay you $100 to punch him in the face, and $500 if you knock him out cold. In fact you'll probably become an instant celebrity and certainly worshipped on the Jim Rome show.

In my younger days I might have because I could hold my own should he choose to fight. However, I need to deliver an initial knockout punch or the liklihood is that the guy will take me out.

Therefor, I will not punch him but I will land a kick to his "nards".

[Donuthole]

Here is the quote from ESPn.com

The Black Course has been lengthened to 7,426 yards since 2002. It features graduated rough that should allow players to reach the green instead of hacking out to the fairway.

In that case, my money is definitely on Tiger. In 2002, Tiger dominated by hitting fairways and greens. Lately it seems he doesn't do that as often (yesterday excluded) but dominates by hitting the ball long, and missing in the right places. With that in mind, I don't really like his chances on a course which severely penalizes those who find the rough. However, Tiger is as good as there ever has been at scrambling from the rough, and if the rough is short enough to go for the greens, I think his odds of winning go way up.

[il Padrino Ute]

Here is the quote from ESPn.com

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=4240980

We're going to see lower scores. That just ain't right for the Open.