LA JOLLA, CA – The U.S.G.A’s egalitarian course set-up of Torrey Pines produced uncommonly equitable scores in today’s first round action of the 108th U.S. Open. Relative unknowns Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman find themselves atop a leaderboard which neatly mixes other relative unknowns, PGA tour favorites, and even amateurs. Meanwhile “the...
California – a prophet on the burning shore California – knockin’ on the Golden Door Like an angel, standing in a shaft of light Rising up to paradise, I know I’m gonna shine… — Bob Weir and John Barlow LA JOLLA, CA – The sky was golf ball white, sending caddies and spotters scrambling over the fabled kikuyu of Torrey...
Bella Alle! That’s what grateful ragazzi e bellisime say to Italian ex=pat and now proud American Alessandro Speroni for opening the Sole Luna Cafe in San Diego, California. Hungry U.S. Open patrons who love Italian food and cappucino should run not walk to his cafe on Ash Street in the downtown quarter, especially if they are fans Italy’s worlds champion...
Who Are All-Star Professional Athletes Picking this week at the 2008 U.S. Open? Tiger Woods is the overwhelming favorite to win his third U.S. Open when play gets underway according to other world-class athletes: Vince Coleman (St. Louis Cardinals) – Tiger Woods. It’s his open Roy Green (Arizona Cardinals) – “It’s gotta be Tiger Woods...
PGA.com is running my preview pieces of each major and the Ryder Cup. Click here and enjoy.
…and a big hello to all my sponsors, Gonzalez E Gonzalez and Seize Sur Vingt.
At the 2005, 2006, and 2007 U.S. Opens, the chaotic twists and turns of the greens at Pinehurst, Winged Foot and Oakmont were Tiger Woods’s undoing. “I had plenty of 8-10 foot putts, but they had three feet of break. You’re not going to make those all the time” he said after his final putt at Oakmont veered away, sealing his defeat. At...
Lets get some housekeeping out of the way before heading out to California: First: Alex Miceli is writing some excellent pieces for www.usopen.com, including this wrap-up of players who got through U.S. Open qualifying and will be at Torrey Pines. Next, I’ll be reviewing Dan Jenkins’s new book, The Franchise Babe over the next few days. My colleague...
So I’ve been working on a Robert trent Jones, Jr. interview and it’s going to reveal some fascinating insights into one of the greatest designers and nicest men you’d ever want to meet. You will be so elated to hear his thoughts on golf course architecture, Chambers Bay, other great architects, and poetry. Yes, that’s right; I said poetry...
Hat tip to Kalen Braley. Hey ESPN, who said three at the south course is the “signature hole?” Shouldn’t we expect Rees, who claims the design (and Oakland Hills) as his own now – DORK ALERT! – shouldn’t we expect Rees to claim all 18 holes as signature holes?
My U.S. Open preview piece will be up shortly at PGA.com. In the meantime, welcome to Travis Invitational week from Garden City Golf Club. Tomorrow: The Travis Invitational: The Grand Old Man, The Grand Old Club, The Grand Old Amateur.
Once again the tour bus will be revving, the keyboard will be clicking, and we’ll be bringing you the best travel destinations, along with pro tour and NCAA coverage all spring and summer long. The first stops will be in Georgia to coincide with the Masters and the Golf Writers Association of America events. We’ll be live from not only Augusta...
The United States Golf Association has announced that it has awarded the 2015 U.S. Open Championship to Chambers Bay, the spectacular municipal links course located on the scenic lower Puget Sound in University Place, Wash.            The USGA also announced that Chambers Bay, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Bruce...
Quick reset for the week: First, next week I’ll be in the Senate Press Gallery with a true bird’s eye view of Roger Clemens’s latest act of self-immolation. Quite simply, if he can prove his innocence in this whole steroids mess, it will be the GREATEST comeback in sports history. If he can’t, we may be witnessing the greatest fall from grace...
Here’s Tim Rosaforte’s piece.
Although many at Erin Hills are crossing their fingers, and rightfully so, I’ll throw out Oakmont for consideration…who’s with me?
Simply click here for all things Oakmont on the site. They should build greens like this everywhere.