BETHESDA, MD – Once upon a time, just saying the name Congressional was enough to make pro golfers tremble. People still blanche when they recall brave old Ken Venturi staggering up the 18th fairway on the last Saturday finish in U.S. Open history, seemingly one step ahead of the Grim Reaper. “They opened up a coffin and out he crawled,”...
Right here as a matter of fact. From the article: “Dazed by dehydration and 100-degree heat (and accidentally poisoning himself with too many salt tablets), a semiconscious Venturi fired a sizzling 66-70 to win his only major championship. As he sat down for his post-tournament interview with the press, the affable Venturi couldn’t help cracking a joke:...
From the U.S.G.A. press release: “Tim Clark withdrew from the 2011 U.S. Open Championship on Saturday, June 11 because of an elbow injury. The alternate who will take his place is J.J. Henry, who competed in sectional qualifying on June 6 in Columbus, Ohio (Brookside Golf and Country Club and Lakes Golf and Country Club). Henry shot rounds of 68...
For the first time since he began playing the event in 1996, Tiger Woods will miss a U.S. Open. The announcement came out of Jacksonville via AP reporter Doug Ferguson that Woods will skip the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional due to his Achilles injury, and probably also due to symptoms in his left knee, which has endured four surgeries. Woods tweeted, “Not...
My guess is we’ll see President Obama one day, as he loves golf and cameras. I have no idea when though. Anyway…from the USGA: STRICT SECURITY MEASURES IN EFFECT FOR 2011 U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Far Hills, N.J. (June 7) – The security plan for the 2011 U.S. Open Championship at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., has been coordinated by...
In a great move for themselves, for golf, and great golf course architecture, Tournament Set-up genius Mike Davis has been elevated to Executive Director of the USGA. From the USGA announcement: “Davis becomes the seventh executive director in the 116-year history of the Association, after serving as senior director of Rules and Competitions since 2005…...
You might remember all the talk in late 2009 about how it looked like Tiger could run the table and win the Grand Slam of golf, (until a bunch of Ulricas and Jezebels got in the way), but 2011 looks like a great year venue wise for Woods as well. The Masters – Woods plays well at Augusta National. Even with his world in flames and his wife screaming like Nancy...
Sal Johnson of Golf Observer reports that the U.S.G.A. announced that David Fay retires as executive director effective December 31, 2010. It was widely known that Fay wanted to retire at the same time he turned 60 years old, which he did in October. He gave the U.S.G.A. 32 years of faithful, dedicated, graceful service. Mike Butz, the deputy executive director will...
While I prepare some Jazzy Award presentations, here is the list of people who came in second to Tiger Woods at majors. This is a sure bar bet winner for you… THE MASTERS 1997 – Tom Kite 2001 – David Duval 2002 – Retief Goosen 2005 – Chris DiMarco THE U.S. OPEN 2000 – Ernie Els, Miguel Angel Jimenez 2002 – Phil Mickelson 2008...
While I’m in DelMarVa playing Ballyhack and covering the Potomac Cup preview – complete with a stint with Steve Czaban on Fox Sports radio Tuesday afternoon – Ryan Ballengee has a terrific preview of Congressional. Mike Davis goes over some of the changes the players can expect when the course hosts a U.S. Open instead of a Kemper/Booz...
PEBBLE BEACH, CA – It’s Graeme McDowell who won the 2010 U.S. Open, not Lou Graham, but since McDowell’s win closely resembles Graham’s victory at Medinah in 1975, the confusion is easily forgiven. Like 1975, Championship Sunday dawned over Paradise with the game’s greatest players lurking near the top of the leaderboard. But also like...
While I’m writing my U.S. open recap and World Cup knockout stage analysis, tune in to Cybergolf and Waggle Room for more. After that, it’s off to Philly for East Coast Extravaganza, a majoy roller derby tournament with important implications for the regionals and the WFTDA championships. See everyone with more articles tomorrow!
Graeme McDowell, wins the 110th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, the first European to do so since Tony Jacklin won the 1970 U.S. Open at Hazeltine National in Minnesota. Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, you are on the clock!
Cybergolf ran my Championship Sunday preview, Another Moveable Feast. We’ll have more pictures soon. In the meantime, enjoy the tournament no one wants to win.
My piece about Phil’s charge yesterday along the cliffs of doom is up at Cybergolf. It’s here, so enjoy it! From the article: “Still, the day and the stage belonged to Mickelson. Many of you never got to see Arnold Palmer, but Mickelson makes a great comparison: a swashbuckling mercurial golfer who made you both live and die on championship Sundays...