US Open Preview
June 8th 2008 23:33
While the world waits to see if Tiger Woods' wounded knee is fit to make a winning bid at the US Open Open golf tournament this week, Woods was watching eagerly yesterday to see if he would also end up with wounded pride.
A throwaway comment by Woods a few months ago sparked one of the more unusual reality TV shows: three celebrities and an amateur playing the US Open venue of Torrey Pines South under tournament conditions and trying shoot less than 100.
The celebrities were singer Justin Timberlake, a pretty handy golfer, Dallas Cowboys quarterback TonyRomo, who actually tried (and failed) to qualify for the US Open and NBC presenter Matt Lauer.
They were joined by John Atkinson, who won a contest in which golfers had to write an essay on why they should get to play Torrey Pines under US Open conditions. Atkinson's story of his battle with inoperable lung cancer won an internet vote and earned him the honour of trying to prove Woods wrong.
The foursome went around Torrey Pines and the US Open website carried this report and it's safe to say nobody made a fool of Woods.
Torrey Pines is a fearsome course and in trying to explain how hard it would be, Woods said casually: "If you're a 10-handicapper, there's no way you're breaking 100 out there; if you played all out on every shot, there is no way."
By that he means under US Open conditions: back tees, deep rough, fast greens, TV cameras, rules officials and a gallery. And, obviously, no mulligans.
Normally an 10-handicapper could expect to go around a par-72 layout in about 82 strokes, so Woods was saying US Open conditions would extract at least one more shot per hole.
There are some tough challenges at the San Diego course, including the 13th which demands a shot over a canyon that has to carry around 220m. If it's a head wind, there's every chance a few balls will end up rattling around on the rocks at the foot of the canyon.
Unlike many US Open venues, Torrey Pines has been a regular stop on the PGA Tour where both the north and south courses are played. It's fair to say Woods has totally dominated the tournaments, winning six of the past 10 editions, including the most recent four in a row. Phil Mickelson has won twice in that time with the other two winners over the past decade being John Daly and Jose Maria Olazabal.
But neither Woods nor Mickelson has played the 13th from the new tee, which brings the canyon into play.Rumour has it that US Open organisers put a fence around the tee after Mickelson was found practising from the location.
At 7643 yards, it's going to be the longest course in US Open history, and by nearly 400 yards. It's the equivalent of taking the previous longest course and adding another par-4.
While the 13th may be demanding, officials are are thinking of tinkering with the 14th, which is listed at 435 yards. But the USGA is seriously considering using a front tee and making it a drivable par-4 of about 277 yards.
With a canyon looming behind the green, officials fear the players won't take on the challenge. Woods was surprised a drivable par-4 was even being discussed. "Never would have foreseen the USGA doing that," he said.
What Woods and others may not have foreseen is the possibility five straight US Opens could be won by a non-American. Since Jim Furyk won the toughest test in golf in 2003, Americans have been shut out as Retief Goosen (South Africa), our own Michael Campbell, Aussie Geoff Ogilvy, and Argentine Angel Cabrera turned the tournament into a United Nations of winners.
With Woods only just getting back into action following his knee operation, he's a huge risk for punters even though betting agencies have installed him as their favourite. Mickelson, like Woods, loves Torrey Pines. But, despite winning at Colonial in Dallas three weeks ago, he's actually struggled with his game and there's still doubt over whether he can drive the ball well enough to win a US Open.
Which brings us back to the overseas contingent. The two guys who seem in the best form to carry on the international streak are Spain's Sergio Garcia and England's Luke Donald.
Garcia's putting is now starting to match his impeccable game from tee to green while Donald has been edging his way back into form.
Garcia won the Players Championship and has had two top-10 finishes since then proving he's in the right frame of mind to finally land a major.
Donald has an outstanding record at Torrey Pines.In four tournaments at the venue he has finished 18th, seventh, second and second (beaten in a playoff). But he hasn't taken on the San Diego beast since 2005 and hasn't won on the US Tour since 2006.
Among the others who'd be great chances are reliable hitters like Justin Leonard and Robert Allenby, who were involved in the playoff to decide the St Jude tournament in Memphi at the weekend.
Allenby has an Open-style game and has been in good form for so long it would be no surprise to see him feature again.
In five my tips are: Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Robert Allenby and, because you can't ignore them, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
As for last week's tips: the less said the better.
I had plenty of guys in contention going into the final round of the two events last week but TIm Clark blew his two shot lead in Memphis to tumble out of contention while Stephen Ames held steady for a top-10 finish.
In Europe, Jeev Milkha Singh ran away with the title but of my picks, Steven Jeppesen and Francesco Molinari both finished top-10 but that's not good enough for any cash unfortunately.
I'll be back with some more posts during the US Open.
A throwaway comment by Woods a few months ago sparked one of the more unusual reality TV shows: three celebrities and an amateur playing the US Open venue of Torrey Pines South under tournament conditions and trying shoot less than 100.
The celebrities were singer Justin Timberlake, a pretty handy golfer, Dallas Cowboys quarterback TonyRomo, who actually tried (and failed) to qualify for the US Open and NBC presenter Matt Lauer.
They were joined by John Atkinson, who won a contest in which golfers had to write an essay on why they should get to play Torrey Pines under US Open conditions. Atkinson's story of his battle with inoperable lung cancer won an internet vote and earned him the honour of trying to prove Woods wrong.
The foursome went around Torrey Pines and the US Open website carried this report and it's safe to say nobody made a fool of Woods.
Torrey Pines is a fearsome course and in trying to explain how hard it would be, Woods said casually: "If you're a 10-handicapper, there's no way you're breaking 100 out there; if you played all out on every shot, there is no way."
By that he means under US Open conditions: back tees, deep rough, fast greens, TV cameras, rules officials and a gallery. And, obviously, no mulligans.
Normally an 10-handicapper could expect to go around a par-72 layout in about 82 strokes, so Woods was saying US Open conditions would extract at least one more shot per hole.
There are some tough challenges at the San Diego course, including the 13th which demands a shot over a canyon that has to carry around 220m. If it's a head wind, there's every chance a few balls will end up rattling around on the rocks at the foot of the canyon.
Unlike many US Open venues, Torrey Pines has been a regular stop on the PGA Tour where both the north and south courses are played. It's fair to say Woods has totally dominated the tournaments, winning six of the past 10 editions, including the most recent four in a row. Phil Mickelson has won twice in that time with the other two winners over the past decade being John Daly and Jose Maria Olazabal.
But neither Woods nor Mickelson has played the 13th from the new tee, which brings the canyon into play.Rumour has it that US Open organisers put a fence around the tee after Mickelson was found practising from the location.
At 7643 yards, it's going to be the longest course in US Open history, and by nearly 400 yards. It's the equivalent of taking the previous longest course and adding another par-4.
While the 13th may be demanding, officials are are thinking of tinkering with the 14th, which is listed at 435 yards. But the USGA is seriously considering using a front tee and making it a drivable par-4 of about 277 yards.
With a canyon looming behind the green, officials fear the players won't take on the challenge. Woods was surprised a drivable par-4 was even being discussed. "Never would have foreseen the USGA doing that," he said.
What Woods and others may not have foreseen is the possibility five straight US Opens could be won by a non-American. Since Jim Furyk won the toughest test in golf in 2003, Americans have been shut out as Retief Goosen (South Africa), our own Michael Campbell, Aussie Geoff Ogilvy, and Argentine Angel Cabrera turned the tournament into a United Nations of winners.
With Woods only just getting back into action following his knee operation, he's a huge risk for punters even though betting agencies have installed him as their favourite. Mickelson, like Woods, loves Torrey Pines. But, despite winning at Colonial in Dallas three weeks ago, he's actually struggled with his game and there's still doubt over whether he can drive the ball well enough to win a US Open.
Which brings us back to the overseas contingent. The two guys who seem in the best form to carry on the international streak are Spain's Sergio Garcia and England's Luke Donald.
Garcia's putting is now starting to match his impeccable game from tee to green while Donald has been edging his way back into form.
Garcia won the Players Championship and has had two top-10 finishes since then proving he's in the right frame of mind to finally land a major.
Donald has an outstanding record at Torrey Pines.In four tournaments at the venue he has finished 18th, seventh, second and second (beaten in a playoff). But he hasn't taken on the San Diego beast since 2005 and hasn't won on the US Tour since 2006.
Among the others who'd be great chances are reliable hitters like Justin Leonard and Robert Allenby, who were involved in the playoff to decide the St Jude tournament in Memphi at the weekend.
Allenby has an Open-style game and has been in good form for so long it would be no surprise to see him feature again.
In five my tips are: Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Robert Allenby and, because you can't ignore them, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
As for last week's tips: the less said the better.
I had plenty of guys in contention going into the final round of the two events last week but TIm Clark blew his two shot lead in Memphis to tumble out of contention while Stephen Ames held steady for a top-10 finish.
In Europe, Jeev Milkha Singh ran away with the title but of my picks, Steven Jeppesen and Francesco Molinari both finished top-10 but that's not good enough for any cash unfortunately.
I'll be back with some more posts during the US Open.
| 50 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
