OT: U.S. Open

[CDLionFL]

I am marshalling next month at the US Women's Open at Lancaster CC.

I will be volunteering again at the BMW at Conway Farms in Sept.

Only rule I have about marshals is that if I have my cart parked at a crossing, just let me through after the players hit and before you let the galleries through!! Us TV people have places to go!!

I think what we'll see today is a death battle to get into the house. I can't see anyone matching what Day did yesterday birdieing 3 of his final 4 holes. 18 is gonna play as a par 4 again and that's gonna cause trainwrecks at the end, almost similar to Winged Foot in 2006. I hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[lionlurker]

I don't get why it matters what the par is on the last hole. At the end of the day, it's the total number of strokes that matter, and all of the players play it at the same par.

 

[lionlurker]

Oakmont, by the way, is clearly one of the best courses in the U.S., but it has remained in the rota for the Open because the club has enough land/space to allow them to keep lengthening the course as needed, which is something that Merion cannot do, for example.

I loved Oakmont even more before they cut all the trees down. I can still remember gasping the first time I went up there once they cut down the trees. It had a very visceral negative impact on me.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Only rule I have about marshals is that if I have my cart parked at a crossing, just let me through after the players hit and before you let the galleries through!! Us TV people have places to go!!

I think what we'll see today is a death battle to get into the house. I can't see anyone matching what Day did yesterday birdieing 3 of his final 4 holes. 18 is gonna play as a par 4 again and that's gonna cause trainwrecks at the end, almost similar to Winged Foot in 2006. I hope it doesn't come to that.

The TV people are about as popular with me as the dude on the tee screaming 'mashed potatoes'. Mash THIS, ya goof. I think 18 will be a 5 today since 1 is a par-4. I hear ya about the train wrecks - guys coming down are going to desperately need birdies and eagles, on a par-4 you would see a whole bunch of 8's.

 

[Bushwood CC]

I don't get why it matters what the par is on the last hole. At the end of the day, it's the total number of strokes that matter, and all of the players play it at the same par.

Agree with this -- players are going to play it as a Par 4.5 no matter weather they play it is a Par 4 or Par 5. What you do on your drive is going to determine whether you lay up - not what they have the card marked at. Regardless of what they have the card marked at, as a golfer you realize that you are losing a half a stroke to the field and a full stroke to the best scorers with a 5 regardless of whether they play it as a Par 4 or Par 5. But it makes no difference which they play it as on the card except that they probably use a different tee box when they play it as a 4 vs a 5 (e.g., Par 5 teeing area is probably a more dangerous angle and marginally longer - the angle probably requires you to take more risk - more carry - to have a shorter second shot.

 

[Bushwood CC]

Oakmont, by the way, is clearly one of the best courses in the U.S., but it has remained in the rota for the Open because the club has enough land/space to allow them to keep lengthening the course as needed, which is something that Merion cannot do, for example.

I loved Oakmont even more before they cut all the trees down. I can still remember gasping the first time I went up there once they cut down the trees. It had a very visceral negative impact on me.

The original course design cleared all the trees from where the course was designed as it was designed to be completely open and what is referred to as an "inland links" - the course was never designed to have forests really come into play. The trees they took out to accommodate the changes made are in keeping with the original design which clear cut all the trees to allow the inland links design and create a landscape open to the wind.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

The original course design cleared all the trees from where the course was designed as it was designed to be completely open and what is referred to as an "inland links" - the course was never designed to have forests really come into play. The trees they took out to accommodate the changes made are in keeping with the original design which clear cut all the trees to allow the inland links design and create a landscape open to the wind.

At the '94 Open (Els in a playoff) it was like the Great Smoky Mountains. The trees really did need cleared out. It sure was a shocker though by '07 and Cabrera. From the fans perspective it was great, there were grandstands where you could see one approach shot, putting on a second green, and a tee shot on a third hole.

 

[OaktonDave]

I will be volunteering again at the BMW at Conway Farms in Sept. The volunteer package two years ago was I think $75. You got a Peter Millar package of a golf shirt, windbreaker and visor.....the windbreaker's price tag alone was $149.99. Plus free admission and parking all week long, plus meals on the days you were working and two free any day passes for friends. A pretty good deal for being inside the ropes and seeing some good golf up close and personal.

I've volunteered at the 2011 and 2013 US Opens and am already locked in for next year. It's $160 and four 6-hour shifts to do it. In return you get two golf shirts, a windbreaker, a hat (Polo did them the years I volunteered), and, best of all, all the live US Open you can watch with great access. It's a great experience and an absolute bargain if you're a golf fan.

 

[lionlurker]

At the '94 Open (Els in a playoff) it was like the Great Smoky Mountains. The trees really did need cleared out. It sure was a shocker though by '07 and Cabrera. From the fans perspective it was great, there were grandstands where you could see one approach shot, putting on a second green, and a tee shot on a third hole.

So true. Before the trees came out, you could only see at most two holes from wherever it was you were standing. Now, you can see a dozen holes, seemingly, from wherever you are.

I loved those goddamned trees, though.

 

[Monty2007]

I missed it. How did Coetzee get a new driver?

 

[Victor E. Bell]

Rory roarin. Make room for a fifth hat in the ring.

Now we have split screen, one side Rory's approach shot on 14, the other side featuring Johnson and Day walking. Split screen, did I mention?

 

[Bushwood CC]

Rory roarin. Make room for a fifth hat in the ring.

Dustin Johnson just got reamed by these crap greens on both the 1st and 2nd holes after hitting 2 perfect approach shots that were easy birdies except on these "hit 'em and hope" joke greens.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Dustin Johnson just got reamed by these crap greens on both the 1st and 2nd holes after hitting 2 perfect approach shots that were easy birdies except on these "hit 'em and hope" joke greens.

It's not just the greens.....Day just nailed a perfect drive that rolled 40 yards straight right into crap or sand, couldn't tell which. WAY WAY WAY too much luck (good and bad) involved this weekend. Two identical shots can get DRAMATICALLY different results. The UP AND DOWNS are fine....it's the LEFT AND RIGHTS that are the gimmicks.

 

[Victor E. Bell]

Scott looking good now, too...no bogies for Scott today. Just hit a good birdie chance into 14.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Scott looking good now, too...no bogies for Scott today. Just hit a good birdie chance into 14.

You know who else is making a move . . . . Sneds. Scott might be running put of holes, but plenty of time for Snedeker. If he can get to -3 and safely in the clubhouse . . . might be all he needs. Guarantee you one thing. Rory needs two birdies. He will NOT be laying up.

 

[Bushwood CC]

It's not just the greens.....Day just nailed a perfect drive that rolled 40 yards straight right into crap or sand, couldn't tell which. WAY WAY WAY too much luck (good and bad) involved this weekend. Two identical shots can get DRAMATICALLY different results. The UP AND DOWNS are fine....it's the LEFT AND RIGHTS that are the gimmicks.

Never seen a major where so many putts 10 feet and in are missed due to a reluctance to take an aggressive line with speed. Miss after miss after miss....and all of the players are doing the same thing - they are all using a very conservative speed (e.g., conservative line) and attempting to "die the ball into the hole". They're doing it to keep the ball close to the hole so they don't 3-Putt, because that brings up the other thing I have never seen so much of in a US Open -- great player after great player missing 3 and 4 footers due to the ball being subject to bobbling all over the place and the players simply guessing whether they should play the break or not, especially when it's the break appears to require the ball be played outside the hole. These players are simply guessing, taking tentative lines and do not have the confidence to take aggressive putting lines due to the severe inconsistency of the greens.

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

Like James franklin's 2014 offense, this US Open is nothing but a series of gimmicks.

Great shots are being undeservedly penalized.

 

[Bushwood CC]

Like James franklin's 2014 offense, this US Open is nothing but a series of gimmicks.

Great shots are being undeservedly penalized.

DJ should be 4 clear of the field...he is absolutely striping it and should have shot 29 on the front. Due to these joke greens, he's 2 clear and only shot 2-under on front. The leaders are all log-jammed because these greens are neutralizing awesome approach shots.

It makes very little difference whether you are 25 feet or 8 feet on these greens - your chances of making it because you have to try and "fade" the ball into the cup is very low. In other words, the course is rewarding an incredible approach and mediocre approach about the same just as Horschel said in his interview.

 

[lionlurker]

Only an idiot would pay $250 a round to play this course.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Only an idiot would pay $250 a round to play this course.

I think the going rate for non-residents is $299 plus tax .....PLUS CADDY!

 

[PSU57]

Absolutely the worst excuse for a US Open Course, or any other tournament for that matter, that I have ever seen. I have a feeling the guys playing in it might agree.

 

[Bushwood CC]

Absolutely the worst excuse for a US Open Course, or any other tournament for that matter, that I have ever seen. I have a feeling the guys playing in it might agree.

Whoa, did you just see that putt by Snedeker??? The ball looked like it hit a pothole! Bounced way up in the air, stopped the balls momentum and the ball rolled back down the hill.

 

[psuro]

This is the first time in a long time that I, as a viewer, feel detached from a golf major. Not sure if it's the course, Fox's coverage (which I loathe), or a combination of the two or even something else, but watching on TV does not seem the same as other golf majors I have watched, nor The Players at TPC Sawgrass.

Just feel detached from the whole things. And the truth is, there is some good golf being played.

 

[Blueblood4eva]

DJ needs to win this thing or risk becoming another tragedy. He is now behind again. Gut check time buddy. Go get it!

 

[bxle]

This is the first time in a long time that I, as a viewer, feel detached from a golf major. Not sure if it's the course, Fox's coverage (which I loathe), or a combination of the two or even something else, but watching on TV does not seem the same as other golf majors I have watched, nor The Players at TPC Sawgrass.

Just feel detached from the whole things. And the truth is, there is some good golf being played.

For me it's mostly the coverage.

 

[lionlurker]

Coverage is bad, but geez, it's like a goofy golf course. All it needs is some kind of windmill on the greens.

 

[Bushwood CC]

DJ and Day both just missed birdie putts well inside 8 feet - neither even sniffed the hole! Announcer said the putt had no break as both putts bobbled all over the place and drifted to the left an unpredictable manner (Day putted after DJ on same line - played right-to-left break and the ball proceeded to bobble left even more!). Never have I seen so many fairly straightforward, below-the-hole, birdie putts from 8 feet and in missed so consistently or badly by the best players i the world. These guys are putting with zero confidence and simply guessing....and it shows. There is no difference in getting the ball 25 feet or 5 feet - this is a joke, it's pure luck and who gets the bounces.

 

[Bushwood CC]

Coverage is bad, but geez, it's like a goofy golf course. All it needs is some kind of windmill on the greens.

Speith has played completely unspectacularly and is winning by 1 - DJ has striped it all day except 2 holes which he played well enough to par (inside of 10 feet for birdie literally on 10 of the 12 holes he's played) and is losing by 1??? This course fargging sucks....maybe they should add tee boxes on springs that bounce around as you attempt to tee off.... Good grief, this course isn't hard it just neutralizes great shots and rewards mediocre and average shots by neutralizing the absolute best shots!

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

I think the going rate for non-residents is $299 plus tax .....PLUS CADDY!

I think I'll wait for the $59 Groupon Coupon. The only things this course is missing are:

Windmills

Clowns

Swinging Logs

Mystery 18th hole (the one where you wait to see if your ball comes out in the "free replay" tube). No thanks.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

DJ and Day both just missed birdie putts well inside 8 feet - neither even sniffed the hole! Announcer said the putt had no break as both putts bobbled all over the place and drifted to the left an unpredictable manner (Day putted after DJ on same line - played right-to-left break and the ball proceeded to bobble left even more!). Never have I seen so many fairly straightforward, below-the-hole, birdie putts from 8 feet and in missed so consistently or badly by the best players i the world. These guys are putting with zero confidence and simply guessing....and it shows. There is no difference in getting the ball 25 feet or 5 feet - this is a joke, it's pure luck and who gets the bounces.

As bad as the greens are.....and they ARE VERY VERY BAD.....Johnson has never been a good or even an ave putter on the tour. Now he's so psyched out he'd screw up a gimmee!

The player that's really played well is Oosthuizen. Since his 77 on Thurs with Tiger's 80 and Fowler's 81 he's played better than anyone in the field BY FAR. He easily could have had a 62 or 63 yesterday and this afternoon he just ended a stretch of five birdies in a row.

I love links courses.....but would never pay to play this one. It's like trying to bowl on a lane with half a dozen different types of wood, with every piece warped. Only worse!

 

[Bushwood CC]

As bad as the greens are.....and they ARE VERY VERY BAD.....Johnson has never been a good or even an ave putter on the tour. Now he's so psyched out he'd screw up a gimmee!

The player that's really played well is Oosthuizen. Since his 77 on Thurs with Tiger's 80 and Fowler's 81 he's played better than anyone in the field BY FAR. He easily could have had a 62 or 63 yesterday and this afternoon he just ended a stretch of five birdies in a row.

I love links courses.....but would never pay to play this one. It's like trying to bowl on a lane with half a dozen different types of wood, with every piece warped. Only worse!

BTW, did you see Speith's putt on 16? Big breaker and he played a good line, but the ball looked like it was rolling on gravel as it approached the hole and appeared it was going to miss right until one of the bobble/bounces knocked it back to the left and on line about a half-a-foot before it went in the hole. Complete luck of the draw that, that specific putt went in (and other much closer putts did not all day long). It is a complete crap-shoot on these greens.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Absolutely the worst excuse for a US Open Course, or any other tournament for that matter, that I have ever seen. I have a feeling the guys playing in it might agree.

One of the players.....I didn't catch who.....said that there have never been more players happy that they missed the cut. Probably some tongue-in-cheek, but probably a lot of truth!

 

[bxle]

Speith back to the pack

 

[Bushwood CC]

Too funny, now Speith missed a straightforward 4 footer that broke way more (to the left) than anyone would ever guess (looked straight - no way would you play it anywhere near as much as it moved) - these greens are a joke.

 

[bxle]

And DJ with a good look at birdie

 

[Bushwood CC]

And DJ with a good look at birdie

DJ just hit the best shot of the day at 17 - an incredible shot especially under the pressure of a "must have" birdie.....now let's watch the crap greens screw him and turn his great shot into an average shot....good grief this course sucks!

 

[ILLINOISLION]

BTW, did you see Speith's putt on 16? Big breaker and he played a good line, but the ball looked like it was rolling on gravel as it approached the hole and appeared it was going to miss right until one of the bobble/bounces knocked it back to the left and on line about a half-a-foot before it went in the hole. Complete luck of the draw that, that specific putt went in (and other much closer putts did not all day long). It is a complete crap-shoot on these greens.

Again, I'm not arguing with you, the greens ARE bad.

But the USGA contributed mightily by not adding any water.....AND.....finishing play this late in the day. My home course has magnificent greens.....but not at 7:00PM!

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

I was just about to say I think we're going extra innings tomorrow, but Speith looking at eagle. DJ - who I dislike - still a very live threat.

Louie Ooie played his ass off today. And Scott scalded the joint with a 64! Incredible!

The course is getting toasted and deservedly so, but there is some tremendous golf out there today.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

I as just about to say I think we're going extra innings tomorrow, but Speith looking at eagle. DJ - who I dislike - still a very live threat.

Louie Ooie played his ass off today. And Scott scalded the joint with a 64! Incredible!

The course is getting toasted and deservedly so, but there is some tremendous golf out there today.

I'm was hoping for a two or three way 18 hole playoff tomorrow......!

 

[Bushwood CC]

Again, I'm not arguing with you, the greens ARE bad.

But the USGA contributed mightily by not adding any water.....AND.....finishing play this late in the day. My home course has magnificent greens.....but not at 7:00PM!

They should have watered and rolled them before play every morning - anything to flatten out the bumps.

BTW, did you just see that freak drive by DJ??? Massive!! Flew the portion of the fairway where it necks down to 30 yards across or so. He's 75 yards past where it necks-down and then opens back up!!! He's going to have a mid-iron in possibly.