US Open 2012

First topic message reminder :

The 112th US Open gets underway on June 14 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. It is the 5th time that the US Open have visited and low scoring has not really been seen previously. Take a look at prior results, where extra time was needed on two occasions:

1955 Jack Fleck tied Ben Hogan at +7. Fleck went onto win the playoff shooting -1 to Hogan's +3

1966 Billy Casper tied Arnold Palmer at -2. Casper triumphed in the playoff by the same score as Fleck; 69-73

1987 Scott Simpson finished at -3 beating Tom Watson by a shot. They were the only two players to finish under par.

1998 Lee Janzen came from 7 shots back to win finishing at even par ahead of Payne Stewart.

But this won't be the same open as 1998. A lot of improvements have been made to the venue culminating in a nine year tree management program. Don't be alarmed, it's not the tree removal program that the good folks at Oakmont entered into when they removed every single one on the course. There were lots of evergreens and underbrush that gave the Olympic Club the feel of being very claustrophobic, dark and narrow. It was almost as if the players were in a chute not able to see from one hole to another.

This narrowness also affected the playing conditions and options; players were protected from the swirling winds, recovery play was limited and the course became wet, soft and spongy due to reduced sunlight and air flow. A short time into the tree management program the benefits became evident, the increased sunlight and air movement quickly enhanced the characteristics encouraging drier, firmer conditions. The apparent widening of the holes will now offer players different strategies for each hole and increased angles into the greens whilst exposing them to some of the winds that they were previously protected from.

The course has also been changed to fit professional play, measured at 7,170 yards the course will not be same one that the members play. Featuring lopsided nines, it will play as 34-36, with the only par 5's coming on the back nine. The front nine will pose a stern opening test for the players with no real let up until the short par 4 seventh. The first has been changed from a 520 yard par 5 to a par 4 although it does play downhill. The par 3 third measures in at 247 yards and the par 4 holes of five and six are close to 500 yards too.

In contrast the back nine offers the shorter par 3's, both less than 200 yards albeit one being a yard shorter than the front nine eighth, and back to back par 5's at the sixteenth and seventeenth. Expect the seventeenth to be reachable and tempting to the players as the USGA try to encourage a spread of scores from an eagle to a bogey. This could be a crucial hole in determing the winner on Sunday.

This year sees the USGA continue the use of a split tee start but there is a twist this year too. The starting holes will be the first and the ninth. The ninth is very close to the clubhouse so it made sense to start there rather than ferrying players out to the tenth. Will it be easier for players to start from the ninth, maybe? But they will also have to start from the first on the other day. Starting from the first they have 12 holes to recover from the hard start, starting from the ninth they have 10 holes to build a cushion for the next 6.

Moving onto the runners and riders, the field is yet to be finalised and four spots remain TBD. There is a cut off for the top 60 players in the OWGR after the Memphis tournament this weekend so there will be some anxious players and alternates eagerly awaiting the latest posting of the OWGR as of Sunday. The first tee shot of the tournament will come on the ninth hole from Shane Bertsch at 7am PT, 10am ET and 3pm BST. As usual the USGA have tried to pick some marquee and fun groups for spectators to look out for.

The no pictures please group of Tiger, Phil and Bubba

The best players in the world right now group of Luke, Coco and Lee

The cheat stick brigade, who the USGA will be watching closely, group of Webb Simpson, Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley

The former champs group of Els, Ogilvy and Cabrera

The appeal to the asian market, and known by their initials, group of KJ (Choi), YE (Yang) and KT (Kim)

The almost young guns, almost living up to expectations, group of Rickeee, Ryo and Dustin

The didn't they do well just to be here group of:
Casey Martin (qualifying medallist and disabled player who took on USGA for the right to use a cart or buggy)
Dennis Miller (director of golf from Ohio of YouTube fame, check out his putt to make it through a qualifiying playoff)
Cameron Wilson (A) from the relatively local Stanford University golf team

With the weekend play expected to finish at 7pm local time there will be some late nights and early mornings for for UK based viewers as the USGA have decided to finish during the East Coast primetime tv market.

Wretched start from LW, but like you say there is a lot of golf to be played. I won't manage the conclusion either, need to be up for work reasonably early.

Lee stuck in it close on two. Hopefully he knocks it in and gets back on track.

Super must be loving the Woods horror show, 5 over through 5 with 1 par.

Edit: Lee knocked it in and is back on track.

No need to adjust your set or call the fire brigade. It's just the "marine layer", as the Californians love to call it, or fog to you and I.

See Fatty Overton, mark two (Beau Hossler) is sliding a little bit, could be the occasion is getting to him. Could be fantasy points up for grabs with Cantplay.

I was smelling a LW victory after he sunk that, then GMac stiffed his approach at 2 as well... this is shaping up nicely.

Still 3 shots in it Red, Lee makes his first par. GMac with a chance on 3.

Edit: oops, GMac with some work to do for par.

To all th night owls keeping me company with their high strength, potent coffee; thank you. Let's hope Lee goes on a charge soon.

Can't believe Tiger only parred 7. Got his first birdie of the day on 8. Funny reaction from him, as if to say, now you decide to work to his putter.

Nooooooo! Westy has just stuck a ball up a tree. Two minutes for it to drop or he has to play 3 from the tee.

Please, please let's have a Janzen moment, same thing, on the same hole and the ball came out on his way back to the tee, he went on to make par and win.

Phew, Furyk, missed a makeable one on 4.

Ernie making his move?

Making a bit of a mess on 8 though Mary. Long putt for par.

Oops GG - I think I jinxed Ernie.

Not sure that I can see anybody overtaking Furyk?

Bunching up now, god squad Simpson is close but he's just put in a difficult position on 11.

Thompson could post a number to be shot at; another birdie, for a 66, would post +1. Even if he makes par after his lucky break from the treetops would post +2. That could get some guys thinking.

Wow, Furyk holed a bomb on 12 for par. GMac follows him in with an almost as so long bomb for birdie. Still 1 stroke separates them. God squad is up there with them.

After the lord mayors show on 13 for the last pair. Both miss the green, both go past the pin and then get a little tentative on their par putts. Furyk left himself some work for his bogey, but makes it. Michael Thompson looking on with interest as he is just 1 behind now.

Westy slipping away now, him and playing partner Freddy Jac are having a tough time of it; +8 as a pair and only 3 birdies on their cards

Ernie making a mess on 16. His approach just a little too far left and caught the slope and rolled into the collection area. Tries to putt up the slope, almost gets it to the top but it rolls almost back to his feet. The second attempt was a lot better and it's just a bogey. This could be costly when he must have been thinking birdie on the tee.

GMac's turn for the par bomb?

God squad in the bunker on 17, Dufner with a chance to tie the club house but leaves it short down the hill.

Furyk still no birdies on the card but joint lead with God squad.

Beau feels the pressure on 18, splays the approach right into the bunker. Gets cute and leaves it in there. Gets it on the green and then slides by the hole on his bogey attempt.

Misses the low amateur by 2 strokes. Jordan Speith with that honor. I guess Redrage had that pick too!

Slow play warning for the final group! They're behind and out of position. They've been asked to pick it up, next warning means they go on the clock. Would hate to see a penalty called but they will only have themselves to blame if they incur one.

Oh dear, Furyk with a wild tee shot on 16, way left. Door opens for GMac?

Oh dear, God squad looks to have found a gopher hole in the green side rough on 18.

Furyk in trouble on 16. Played back out to the fairway after contemplating a Hollywood style Seve shot through a gap in the trees. Still hasn't reached GMac's drive. I think they will end up on the clock after this hole.

God squad looking for relief on 18 but doesn't get it. If he gets up and down, he will have the club house lead at +1.

Edit: great chip from God squad. A couple of feet for 68 and +1.

Michael Thompson loses the lead to God squad.

Westy with a magnificent approach only 17, almost holes it for a two, tap in 3.

Furyk misses the green in 4 on 16. GMac feeling the pressure and leaves a wedge wide of the hole.

So the USGA got what they wanted, moving the tee up and still causing the players fits.

Last group need eagle or birdie as a minimum to get back into this.

God squad prayed the most in the last three holes. Can't wait to hear what Super says about that.

GMac with a birdie putt on 17. Needs this and one more.

GMac, needs a 3 at 18.

Furyk, in with par, needs a 3 at 18.

Great finish coming up. 18 hole playoff tomorrow?

If Furyk makes birdie, it will be his first of the day and the one that gets him in a playoff.

Both him and GMac miss to the right but they're in the semi about 1 yard apart.

All on the approach now.

GMac on, Furyk misses left in bunker almost a fried egg. Furyk drops in to a crouch and bites his club.

Just cut to God squad in the locker room, quickly wiped the smug look off his chevy chase when he realized the camera was on him.

Furyk with a bit of a nightmare in the last few holes. Now into another bunker and GMac has to wait for another minute or so before trying his luck.

GMac misreads and settles for a tie for second.

God squad wins.

Furyk couldn't find a birdie and that cost him in the end. GMac couldn't get it going until too late. Westwood found tree trouble and never really featured after that. Ernie felt the pressure and faded and almost unnoticed Michael Thompson crept up the leader board. But it was all to no avail as God squad shoots 68-68 at the weekend to win.

PS I think Super tried to stop him from thanking his god in his winner's speech as the prize giving ceremony was interrupted by a heckler.

First sign of madness talking to yourself Grumps!

Blue I used to be schizophrenic but we're alright now

Pleased to hear that you have both recovered

Webb Simpson .. whoda thunk it?

I had no idea who I'd see on top of the pile when I woke this morning (I went to bed after the football) but Simpson was one name I hadn't even considered!

Read a few comments today about the heckler who interrupted the prize giving - what was it all about? What was he heckling/protesting about?

EDIT: just seen a photo of the heckler - it looked like Gazza!