The U.S. Open

OAKMONT, PA – Even though only two players were under par, the players were bloodied but not bowed as the rainstorm that blew through Wednesday evening at least softened things up so they could have soft enough targets to hold the greens.   Late Wednesday, the greens were beginning to develop that shine; the dry almost crusty veneer they get after being...

Phil Mickelson, answering whether he was “proud” of his 74: “I wouldn’t say proud.  I had a good game plan, but this [Oakmont] is the USGA’s wet dream here.” And in response to whether he questioned whether or not he should be competing: “No. No. No. No.  I believe I’ll get better as the week goes on.” On how...

OAKMONT, PA – Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter were singing about love in the song “When the Hunter Gets captured by the Game”, but the concept applies in golf as well. For even though golf’s greatest names come loaded for bear as they hunt for one of the game’s most coveted pelts, at the U.S. Open it’s the players who come away...

OAKMONT, PA – Two quick bits of news before I post my long piece for the day. First, the U.S. Open will return to Pinehurst No 2.  in 2014.  That means look for another 1-2 Winged Foot-Oakmont combination in 2015-16.  Erin Hills in Wisconsin is the front runner for 2017 as they look to fill a need – a great U.S. Open venue near Chicago. Next, Charles...

OAKMONT, PA – No matter what side of the pond the speaker was from, the reaction was the same: “Padraig Harrington said what?!?” When the Irishman candidly yet fervently declared Oakmont so penal that he was going to challenge the course, hit driver and play aggressively many thought somebody must have spiked his Gatorade with Bushmills. But not...

This week, the U.S.G.A. will release is choice of host site for the 2014 U.S. Open.  Pinehurst No. 2 looks to be a front running candidate.  Word is that Erin Hills will be looking to fill a spot shortly after with another eye firmly fixed on another Oakmont-Winged Foot one-two combo at about the same time.  2020 is reserved for Pebble Beach, should things remain...

OAKMONT, PA – Remember that great 70’s musical Jesus Christ Superstar? They asked the musical question “What’s the Buzz? Tell me what’s happening, What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s happening…” Here’s the buzz from Tuesday’s practice rounds: After saying he “broke 100” Tiger Woods was off...

Here’s the official U.S. Open site. Here are some of the more interesting pairings: Thurs 1 – Fri 10 7:55 a.m. – 1:25 p.m. – Jose Maria Olazabal, Spain; Sergio Garcia, Spain; Pablo Martin, Spain Spanish world domination anyone?  (Except of course for soccer!).  The port wine and cheese would be outstanding… 8:06 a.m. – 1:36 p.m...

Though movie trilogies could be triggered by all of Oakmont’s horror stories, the wild card comes at the top of the leaderboard. For all of Oakmont’s frightening reputation, for all its cloak and dagger claustrophobia where any hole can result in an eight, it also surrenders record low scores. As we’ll be reminded every day by NBC, in 1973 Johnny...

My U.S. Open preview piece for Oakmont will be up on Cybergolf any time now.  In the meantime, I found no end of interesting stories about Oakmont.  I’ll share some of these in the run-up to next week. Phil Rodgers must still hate evergreens to this day.  From my preview piece: If you like history, plenty of epic moments happened here in Steelerland. ...

As usual, Golf Observer is on top of this.  Here are some highlights. Monday June 4th is qualifying day for 820 players going after 83 spots. Already three players have gotten in through qualifying from Japan . Here is a list of the other 14 sites in which players will play 36 holes to try and get a spot at Oakmont. Ohio site one – Ohio State University...

U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying sites are as follows: Date City and State/Country Club 5/28 Ibaraki Pref, JAPAN Ohtone CC 6/4 Murrieta, CA Bear Creek GC Columbine, CO Columbine CC Surrey, ENGLAND Walton Heath! Tequesta, FL Jupiter Hills Ball Ground, GA Hawks Ridge GC North Riverside, IL Riverside CC Mission Hills, KS Indian Hills CC Rockville, MD Woodmont CC Purchase...