Posted on 06/09/2008 11:14:39 AM PDT by Zuben Elgenubi
This was five years ago in the final round of the Buick Invitational.
Brad Faxon, the other member of the threesome who was known that day as "Switzerland" for his neutral role in this affair, stepped behind the fourth green and whispered to reporters, "Is it always like this when Tiger plays, or is it both of them?"
Imagine what it will be like at the U.S. Open.
Woods, Mickelson and Adam Scott -- Nos. 1-2-3 in the world ranking -- will be in the same group the first two rounds of the U.S. Open next week at Torrey Pines. That's a dream group for television, and for fans in the front row and in grandstands.
But it could be a circus for the guys trying to win the second major of the year.
The only time Woods and Mickelson played together early in a major was the PGA Championship two years at Medinah. That was tradition, because the PGA Championship always puts together the three major champions of the year. Mickelson won the Masters, Woods the British Open and they were joined by U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.
This seems more contrived.
At least everyone knows now -- not like there was ever much doubt -- that the USGA manipulates tee times the first two rounds.
For years, the U.S. Open was famous for grouping the best three players to have never won a major.
This time, the USGA didn't stop with the current Big Three.
It also grouped Nos. 4-5-6 (Ernie Els, Geoff Ogilvy and Justin Rose), Nos. 7-8-9 (Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and K.J. Choi) and Nos. 10-11-12 (Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Stewart Cink).
Mike Davis, the USGA's senior director of rules and competition, has been thinking about tee times since last summer. He could not recall the last time Woods and Mickelson were ever in the same group the first two days of a U.S. Open, much less on the same side of the draw.
"They always put Tiger in the opposite wave as Phil because television wanted it that way," Davis said. "As you know, our traditional pairing is the U.S. Open champion, British Open champion and U.S. Amateur champion. Sometimes that worked out if one of those two guys wins one. Of course, Phil has never won an Open."
Of course.
Davis, though, decided to take it one step further, and he found approval with every step up the USGA ladder.
"This year we got to thinking, 'Isn't it kind of crummy that we've never had the two guys ranked 1 and 2 in the world in the same wave?" Davis said Wednesday night from San Diego. "Weather can affect outcomes in the U.S. Open."
Some believe Woods got the good end of the draw at Pebble Beach in 2000, although it's hard to say luck played a role in his 15-shot victory. His bid for a calendar Grand Slam was derailed in 2002 at Muirfield when he was caught in 40 mph wind at the British Open and shot an 81, his worst score as a pro.
And remember Bethpage Black in 2002, when Garcia was stuck in the rain Friday afternoon and complained that officials would have stopped the tournament had Woods been out there?
"Why not put them in the same wave?" Davis reasoned. "The heck with what TV wants. Let's do what we want for the championship."
That's a little disingenuous.
TV runs everything, and it's not like viewers will suffer by not having Woods and Mickelson on opposite ends of the draw. Coverage the first two days starts at 1:00 p.m. and ends at 10:00 p.m. on the East Coast, a combination of ESPN and NBC Sports.
Applaud the USGA for trying what no one else -- has dared and everyone wants to see, even if there might be so many spectators that half of them won't be able to see anything at all.
But it must be cautious.
The U.S. Open, known as the toughest test in golf, is on the verge of trying too hard to live up to its reputation. It went over the line at Shinnecock Hills in the final round of 2004, when the greens were allowed to get so baked that players could not keep the ball on the seventh green in the final round. The last two winning scores were 5 over par.
And the USGA decided to go along with a gimmick that takes place Friday at Torrey Pines, when three celebrities and one lucky (or unlucky) amateur will play the course in U.S. Open conditions to see if they can break 100.
The last thing it needs is more accusations of trying to become more than it was meant to be -- a circus, not a championship.
Even so, it's worth a shot.
The players won't suffer too much, because these guys are used to an audience. Woods and Mickelson, especially, have been around long enough not to get caught up in the hype. Personalities aside, it's all about posting a score and staying close to the lead.
Just don't be disappointed if this doesn't live up to expectations. Woods, Mickelson and Ogilvy all shot 69 on the first day at Medinah in what looked like an ordinary round of a major.
The real treat will be if they're still together on Sunday afternoon.
Or even just one of them.
Course will drive you crazy, but a lot of fun. My route used to be near by and even though I didn’t have time for a round at lunch, I used to hit the driving range quite a bit for lunch, kept my clubs in my van. Been a few years since I have played a round, back injury, but I used to play at least once a month for a while.
The minute I tuned in this morning, I could see that Tiger was not moving well, probably in pain. Hope it clears up; he shouldn’t have to tough it out.
I tuned in to watch a little bit of the Open yesterday....
In between reports from the putting green, the driving range, and the talking heads talking, they actually showed a little golf. Man!
Tiger and Phil are in good shape. But who are these guys atop the leader board?
Friday afternoon..Phil is phlailing and Tiger is hanging on...both at +1 for the tourney. They started on the back nine today...overcast and froggy...not sure how Tiger legs are feeling right now, he’s not too happy with his game...two bogies and an eagle for even this round...
ESPN will have live coverage until 9 central time
Hello,
Did anyone happen to record coverage of Round 1 (Thursday) of the U.S. Open? Went to Torrey Pines that day but did not tape the broadcast. Would like to see what I missed on TV.
Please let me know if I could get a copy of DVD or tape.
Thanks!
Mike
Nope, didn’t DVR the Open...check around the ESPN and USGA websites for videos from yesterday, highlights and stuff. Plus the Golf Channel has coverage and highllights
Saturday...Tiger has made a nice recovery, shot 30-38, started on 10 and finishing on 9. Is the knee OK...probably sore but manageable.
The final pairing...Rocco and Appleby at 1pm PACFICA Time...NBC has coverage running until 9PM Central, 10PM EST...
What Tiger needs is a little Ellen on his knee to make it feel better.
G
Saturday afternoon and NBC is live, starting 6 straight hours of coverage. Appleby still atop the leader board at -3 for the tourney.
So far, the best round of the day belongs to Brandt Snedecker at -3 bringing him to +4 for the tourney but still tied for 24.
Mick is on the course thru 9 he’s +1 for the day, +5 overall...not his turn to win this one.
Tiger goes off at 250 Pacific Time with the Swede, Robert Karlsson. Appleby and Rocco go off at 3PST so we should have a wonderful afternoon and evening of golf.
Tiger hasn’t hit a fairway yet...double bogey on 1 and pars after that. He’s in trouble again on 4
Tiger just dropped in an eagle on 13...from the back of the green perhaps 50 footer bending left and downhill..
Amazing...he’s now -1 for the tourney...+1 for the day...
Another Tiger miracle shot..on 17 in the rough to the left...PITCH goes in on one bounce!! Birdie...putting him into sole possession of 2nd place only one shot behind Westwood.
What will he do on 18?
Tiger ho hums another EAGLE on 18!!!
Incredible play on the last 6 holes..coming from FIVE down and now is in sole possesion of the lead.
Woods will tee off with Lee Westwood on Sunday afternoon...
What an incredible 18 holes. He is playing with horrible pain in his left knee, limping most of the time...
Re: Stars align with Woods, Mickelson paired together [US Open Golf]
From cleveland gop | 06/14/2008 10:17:46 PM PDT new
You have got to be kidding me! After nailing that bomb on 13, to finish the way that he did is just freaking awesome.
Like him or not, ETW is simply the standard by which every one else on tour strives to be. And no way in hell is he faking it. That knee has to be killing him. The end to the Maltbie interview was funny too!
Other 3rd round thoughts: Good that Rocco hung in there after the mistakes on 13 and 15. He tried to force it after Tiger eagled 13. He and Lee can’t worry about what ETW does, just have to play their own games.
Anyone within 5-6 shots has a reasonable shot. Not that anyone I thought would win is that close. Heck, I didn’t think Tiger would make the cut!
If it came down to Tiger, Rocco and Jimenez, how good would that be? Unless the marine layer sticks around like today, the winning score is no better than where it is now. Any sun early drops scores to even.
Who wins? Who else! Rack up #14 for ETW. If 13 was the appetiser, then 17 was the main course and 18 was dessert!
TGC rules!
Continuing with talking to myself...
Tiger pars six in a row, then birdies 9 to save himself...
On ten now, putting for the lead...and misses...
Par 3 11th yields to the Tiger...birdie for the outright lead.
Westwood starting to melt and Rocco is also one behind...
Safely on 12 in two...pin high right.
Will we see another Tiger Win?
YOWCH...Ernie Els takes a triple booger on 15...he’s done.
Westwood, playing with Tiger, finally gets on the green in three...
Tiger, 18, Birdie...Playoff Monday 18 full holes...
Amazing!
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