T1B

Either now or after the tournament, as per the rules.

Hard to go against the Lefty frieght train, but if I had to take someone other than Lefty, it would be Adam Scott. He's rolling on 4 straight top 5s.

As BSmack mentioned, offiicial picks don't njeed to be in until monday morning, or whenever it's convenient for you to get them in, whichever occurs later.


Such a tough call this week.

Is anybody really going to pick against Tiger this week? Seriously? That might be one heck of a buzzsaw to be jumping on front of.

Then again, he's had a lot on his mind lately(watching a similar situation play out in my real life...best friend's dad...absolutely brutal...going over to help with some house-improving/comfort type stuff in a few minutes...just brutal), so maybe he won't be "all there." Hard to say. (I'm assuming Tiger is playing this weekend).


Adam Scott is in the zone.

Phil has become a big-game wrecking crew over the last couple of years. This guy can show up to an Open-style course and throw down on a 60...you never know.

The Goose never sucks at these tough ones, either.

Has Luke Donald EVER hit a bad shot?

Rumor has it, that ViJay dude isn't sucking, either.

Els has been known to bring the terror in the Majors.

Chad Campbell plays the "thin-to-win, keep it out of the wind and bump-and-run" game as well as anyone these days.


Man, what a crapshoot. I'm stoked. Probably be like every Major -- the guy who can play deece thursday and friday, then bust off a fatty on saturday, has a great chance at winning.

Mickelson

My heart says Tiger, but my head says Retief.

Cicero wrote: my head says Retief.

Well, in THAT case, Sis, then you had probably better...

Nevermind.

Just...nevermind.

I'd love to see Furyk take it. Quiet guy that just goes about his biz.

Of course, hard not to pick Tiger. I won't... just to spite the impending tsunami of coverage regarding how he is now playing with passion and inspiration after his dad's death. They'll be ALL OVER that.

Phil of course, is another good choice. He's toned down his aggressiveness, yet knows when to take the chance. That's a good recipe for Phil on this, tight course.

I'm afraid to pick Adam Scott... that is, until he finds a way to finish off a tournament. Been top five a hell of a lot recently, but I want to see him finish one off first. I also find it hard to believe that an average putter will take the U.S. Open.

Hmmmmm... gotta think about this....

Ken wrote:I also find it hard to believe that an average putter will take the U.S. Open.

Whoa whoa whoa...don't go taking the fun out of the discussion, now...


We all know that the dude who shows up with the hot putter wins. I think that's pretty much a non-negotiable rule of pro golf tournies.

And when his putter gets hot, watch out for the man in the TW gear. It's pretty cool of Tiger to have the same initials as me-btw(Dinsdale isn't my real name-btw), and release a whole clothing line dedicated to those initials. Reason #12,437,983 why I'm the Uberdude.

i'm picking Daly...as he's not entered---->errrr...DIDN'T Qualify.

Michelson's choice to go to a Short Shafted Driver is pretty interesting.

everytime he has tinkered with his STUFF lateley...he has ? hmmmmmmmm????

otherwise its Eldrick in a Landslide. (Davis Love will be 2nd...about 6 strokes back).

Dinsdale wrote:

Ken wrote:I also find it hard to believe that an average putter will take the U.S. Open.

Whoa whoa whoa...don't go taking the fun out of the discussion, now...


We all know that the dude who shows up with the hot putter wins. I think that's pretty much a non-negotiable rule of pro golf tournies.

Let me rephrase... I also find it hard to believe that a putter who is less likely to show up with his hot putter will win.

Then again...it IS the US Open. If there's one tourney that doesn't completely favor the hit putter, it's the US Open (that, and THE Open).

Just getting to the greens becomes more of an issue. In a typical PGA event, even when "the wheels come off," the vast majority of the pros are going to hit the green in 3, rather than 2. When you start talking about 6"+ rough, getting there in 2 or three after missing the short stuff isn't a gaurantee, by any means.

Looks like the weather forecast isn't calling for rain. How crazy would finding the green be if that 6" rough was a little damp? A few weeks ago, I played (read: snuck on to) my bud's private course, and due to occasional rains through the spring, the rough wasn't what would be called "well-groomed." Most of it wasn't 6", but was very thick, dense grass. And it was damp. And I'll tell you what -- neither myself, or my golf bud (good player) were finding the narrow fairways very often (I hate it when that happens). And if that ball that was 12" off the fairway was more than 150 out...we weren't getting there. A crushed 5-iron wasn't getting there. I believe casual PGA fans and infrequent golfers don't realize how badly long/wet grass affects clubspeed and closing-timing. Really tough to hit it straight and judge distance when you're in grass that long.

The more I think about it, the more I think that crazy-long rough favors the strongest, most athletic golfers. And since the strongest, most athletic guy on the Tour also happens to be on a mission this weekend...on Father's Day, no less...I'm going to have an awfully tough time betting against El Gato.

And those rough/requires strength and athleticism type-tournies never seem to favor the out-of-shpe guy. I saw a couplefew weeks ago, where the analysts finally broke down and had to say something about Tim Herron's saturday/sunday afternoon meltdowns. I believe that under their breath, one of them even said something about "It's always on Sunday afternoon when it's really hot out. Conditioning might be an issue."

Glad I'm not the only one who has noticed that the fatboys tend to melt those last 9 holes or so...especially when it's really hot out (but hey...it's not like most American tournies are played at times and places where it's really hot out, right?). I notice Phil is in a little better shape than he once was, and now he's holding on and winning those big ones come sunday afternoon....go figure. SUP DALY?


And on that note -- Retief is pretty ripped and athletic in his own right.

Dinsdale wrote:I believe casual PGA fans and infrequent golfers don't realize how badly long/wet grass affects clubspeed and closing-timing. Really tough to hit it straight and judge distance when you're in grass that long.

You don't have to tell me twice. My forearms and wrists are really feeling it this year. It's been raining a lot the last 3 weeks and the rough at my home course is getting quite jungle like after a rainfall. It definitely reminds me why I go to the gym and do all those forearm curls.

And those rough/requires strength and athleticism type-tournies never seem to favor the out-of-shpe guy. I saw a couplefew weeks ago, where the analysts finally broke down and had to say something about Tim Herron's saturday/sunday afternoon meltdowns. I believe that under their breath, one of them even said something about "It's always on Sunday afternoon when it's really hot out. Conditioning might be an issue."

Herron should have ran away with the Colonial. Instead he barely hung on. It's hard to say that conditioning was the only factor, but when one looks at the World Rankings, the Top 10 isn't exactly populated by round bellies. In fact, you have to go all the way to Darren Clarke at #18 before you hit on an old school round belly. And even he's firmed up some once he realized how much more money he could be making. Herron and Daly are walking anachronisms.

The tournament is at Winged Foot, a course Jack Nicklaus gave an 11 rating to when asked to rate the difficulty of famous courses on a scale of 1-10.....

the venue eliminates about 9/10 of the field right off the bat......

I like the Adam Scott call, but he'll fold under the pressure....

I'll go with Retief.......

dark horse-Jeff Maggert, because he plays difficult courses extremely well.....

BSmack wrote: You don't have to tell me twice. My forearms and wrists are really feeling it this year. It's been raining a lot the last 3 weeks and the rough at my home course is getting quite jungle like after a rainfall.

Yet uneducated fans always want to chime in with their (very tired) "golfers aren't athletes."

A line uttered ONLY by non-golfers.

You are well aware of what I'm saying, as is evident from your post, and I'm quite sure every other person posting in this forum knows, as well. Trying to stick a green from 150+ out from the jungle can literally rip your arm out of its socket.

And isn't it strange how when you look at the World Rankings, it's mainly dominated by the super-jocks?

Go figure.

And while we're on the subject...I challenge anyone to name a greater over-40 athlete than Vijay Singh.

The man is a god, and truly an inspiration to middle-aged people everywhere. The man is 45 years old (?), and if it wasn't for Tiger, he would be just about the only name ever brought up in a golf discussion. Although he's currently tied with Sam Snead for "most wins by a 40+ year old," that record should fall within the next few weeks, and Veej is just going to keep piling them up.

And even if we entertain the idea that "golfers aren't athletes," I will say without reservation, that golf requires more hand-eye coordination that any other sport. And when Vijay's age started to get to the big numbers, instead of gearing up to be put to pasture on the Champions, this guy buckled down and worked even harder (if that was even possible for the guy), and got even better...in his 40's. IMO, this is one of the most remarkable accomplishments in modern sports.


And Darren Clarke wouldn't meet my definiton of "soft." Dude's in pretty deece shape. He hasn't been hitting it as hard lately, due to his wife's ongoing battle with cancer. Rumor has it, there's golfers and coaches that claim the Clarke is the most talented player in the world, but the knock on him has always been his attitude of "I play golf 4 deays a week...I don't need to practice."

Or so I've heard.

BTW -- anyone see Clarke in the booth last weekend? Dude has been watching David Beckham too much, or something. Men over 40 shouldn't spike their (thinning) hair. Big Clarke fan here...but the funky hairdo's time came and went...about 15 years ago.


Anyone else having this sentimental hangup, and wishing Duval rocks the party? Exemptions are his best friend at this point. Love to see him at least crack the cut, if not the top 10. And I will always have empathy for any golfer dealing with a back problem. As Tiger once said "David was the guy I had to get past to get a sniff of that #1 ranking. It's hurt me to watch a friend struggle like that...he's worked so hard to come back."


Werd.

Ohhhh, and btw --

I must apologize if any of my statements in this thread gave any of you the wrong impression...

As far as calling my "official" shot (the unoficial-official pick made before the tourney ends) -- you guy DO know that I'm going with...

Whoever wins the playoff between Peter Jacobsen and Ben Crane, right?

You guys DID know that, right?

And since Ben will be involved in the playoff, the official winner should be crowned sometime tuesday afternoon, after Jake and Ben have played 4 holes to decide the winner.


RACK the Homies (even though they have no chance).

Dinsdale wrote:And Darren Clarke wouldn't meet my definiton of "soft." Dude's in pretty deece shape. He hasn't been hitting it as hard lately, due to his wife's ongoing battle with cancer. Rumor has it, there's golfers and coaches that claim the Clarke is the most talented player in the world, but the knock on him has always been his attitude of "I play golf 4 deays a week...I don't need to practice."

Or so I've heard.

BTW -- anyone see Clarke in the booth last weekend? Dude has been watching David Beckham too much, or something. Men over 40 shouldn't spike their (thinning) hair. Big Clarke fan here...but the funky hairdo's time came and went...about 15 years ago.

I'm just sayin that Clarke isn't necessarily as firmed up as the guys ahead of him in the rankings. He's no Daly or Herron for sure, but there's a bit of a boiler working and he's usualy puffing on his stogies.



He's a hell of a player for sure. He's one of the few to stare down Tiger at his best and walk away on top. That he does it in spite of a more laid back practice schedule is even more amazing.

Cink

Felix wrote:Jeff Maggert, because he plays difficult courses extremely well.....

of course, he needs to be playing in order to be a dark horse........

how is he not in the field? anybody........

Felix wrote:Jeff Maggert, because he plays difficult courses extremely well.....

There's some pretty difficult courses in a PGA season.

Meggert doesn't seem to win on too many of them.


Now, Peter Jacobsen on the other hand...

Felix wrote:

Felix wrote:Jeff Maggert, because he plays difficult courses extremely well.....

of course, he needs to be playing in order to be a dark horse........

how is he not in the field? anybody........

I'm guessing it has something to do with his 6 missed cuts this year.

BSmack wrote: I'm guessing it has something to do with his 6 missed cuts this year.

how about the tournament he won....

Fed-EX-St. Judes Classic.....sound familiar.......

http://www.pgatour.com/story/9467191

now lets hear your reason smarty pants.....

Felix wrote:

BSmack wrote: I'm guessing it has something to do with his 6 missed cuts this year.

how about the tournament he won....

Fed-EX-St. Judes Classic.....sound familiar.......

http://www.pgatour.com/story/9467191

now lets hear your reason smarty pants.....

What about it? Getting hot for one week does not a US Open exemption make. Here's the list of expemptions available for this year's US Open.

http://www.usopen.com/players/qualifyin ... xempt.html

Maggert didn't meet any of them. That's why he isn't there. Well that and he either failed to qualify/didn't try to qualify. My best guess as to why he wasn't in the Top 10 of the money list after 5/28 or in the Top 50 in the World Rankings is that he wasn't cashing checks for 6 out of the 15 events he has played in. Oh, and the 8 missed cuts last year probably didn't help much either.

I quickly skimmed the posts in this thread, so forgive me if I missed it, but it seems no one has mentioned about the unknown prospect of how motivated Tiger will be to honor his Pops, on Father's Day weekend no less. He hasn't played since the Masters, and all indications would seem to point to that not being a good way to come into the Open. But this is Tiger Woods, and his whole life has been about living up to the person his father taught him to be. Something tells me we're going to see this guy dig deeper than he has ever shown in the past. I don't think we've seen Tiger ever 100% motivated, but I think the passing of his Dad will change all that.

My money is on Tiger.

Roofer wrote:so forgive me if I missed it, but it seems no one has mentioned about the unknown prospect of how motivated Tiger will be to honor his Pops, on Father's Day weekend no less.

Yeah, because a bunch of golf diehards who post about it on messageboards would NEVER think about such things.


But, since this is the Kinder, Gentler Forum, you're forgiven for making such a shortsighted post.

don't think we've seen Tiger ever 100% motivated

Uhm...does the 2000 US Open ring any bells?

"Greatest performance in a golf tourney in history?"

Light coming on?


While Tiger may dig a little deeper this time around, to claim that Tiger has never been fully motivated is asinine.

Tiger Woods minus the motivation = Darren Clarke or Steve Elkington or Tim Herron or John Daly or...

Roofer wrote:it seems no one has mentioned about the unknown prospect of how motivated Tiger will be

Not to pick on you Roof...actually as "moderator" of this forum (and let me tell you, these animals need A LOT of moderating around these parts), I encourage everyone to post their golf takes, as frequently as possible...

But...


This is just plain silly:

Roofer wrote:it seems no one has mentioned about the unknown prospect of how motivated Tiger will be to honor his Pops, on Father's Day weekend no less.

Dinsdale wrote:Is anybody really going to pick against Tiger this week? Seriously? That might be one heck of a buzzsaw to be jumping on front of

Cicero wrote:My heart says Tiger, but my head says Retief.

Ken wrote:Of course, hard not to pick Tiger. I won't... just to spite the impending tsunami of coverage regarding how he is now playing with passion and inspiration after his dad's death.

Dinsdale wrote:The more I think about it, the more I think that crazy-long rough favors the strongest, most athletic golfers. And since the strongest, most athletic guy on the Tour also happens to be on a mission this weekend...on Father's Day, no less...I'm going to have an awfully tough time betting against El Gato.

I'd love to hear a "take" that didn't come straight out of Sportscenter, though.

Maybe your darkhorses, per chance?

Who will win should Tiger not bring the "A" game?

Whose game you think is favorable to the extreme rough conditions?


You know...that sort of thing.


If I sound a little harsh, forgive me -- we generally take our anger and frustrations in this forum out on IndyFrisco(I have no idea why, save for him being the textbook "good sport"), but he's on vacation, so we need a suitable substitute...I nominate...you.


Assuming you're OK with that, of course.

Roofer wrote:I quickly skimmed the posts in this thread, so forgive me if I missed it, but it seems no one has mentioned about the unknown prospect of how motivated Tiger will be to honor his Pops, on Father's Day weekend no less. He hasn't played since the Masters, and all indications would seem to point to that not being a good way to come into the Open. But this is Tiger Woods, and his whole life has been about living up to the person his father taught him to be. Something tells me we're going to see this guy dig deeper than he has ever shown in the past. I don't think we've seen Tiger ever 100% motivated, but I think the passing of his Dad will change all that.

My money is on Tiger.

Tiger didn't pick up a club for 5 weeks after the Masters. Phil's been honing every fiber of his being for this one event.

And you want to bet Tiger?

I wish I was your bookie.

BSmack wrote:Tiger didn't pick up a club for 5 weeks after the Masters.

And you want to bet Tiger?

I wish I was your bookie.

Remind me again what happened the last time Tiger didn't touch a club for a few weeks?

Dinsdale wrote:Remind me again what happened the last time Tiger didn't touch a club for a few weeks?

He sure as hell didn't win the US Open.

BSmack wrote:
Maggert didn't meet any of them. That's why he isn't there.

really...no shit that's why he's not there?!?!?!?!?!

the guy has played in every US Open since 1993, maybe that's why I thought he'd be there.....

I want to change my dark horse pick to Maarten Lafeber

Tiger's not off to a very good start. +3 through 6.

BSmack wrote: He sure as hell didn't win the US Open.

Nope, he didn't.

He just won the tournament that was scheduled for that weekend.


But, the last time before that when he took an extended break...what happened upon his return, remind me again?

Dinsdale wrote:

BSmack wrote: He sure as hell didn't win the US Open.

Nope, he didn't.

He just won the tournament that was scheduled for that weekend.

But, the last time before that when he took an extended break...what happened upon his return, remind me again?

Quit speaking and riddles and just make your point before Tiger gets to +5.

Which might be before the back 9 at this rate.

PS: I should say that I would like nothing better than to have Tiger prove me wrong and write one of the best sports stories of all time. But I sure as hell wouldn't bet on it.

BSmack wrote: Quit speaking and riddles and just make your point before Tiger gets to +5.

I would like nothing better than to have Tiger prove me wrong

He's much too busy proving me wrong at the moment, to bother himself with your silly wish.

Dinsdale wrote:

He's much too busy missing fairways, missing greens, and three jacking putts to bother himself with your silly wish.

ftfy.......

Again, I skimmed and didn't read closely, so it's understandable I missed just about everything.

That said, I've never seen Tiger +7 ever. Ever. Yeah I know its Winged Foot, and yeah I know its the US Open with its 6" rough, but still....+7?

I guess I got my answer.

And BSmack, you really ought to not take things so literally. I know a gambling addict like you starts to quiver like a teen virgin playing spin the bottle at summer camp when someone says something like "I'd bet on it" or "my money's on.....", but it's not always meant literally, bro. I haven't gambled on sports in years. But you didn't know that, so you're forgiven (quite a forgiving forum/thread we have). Suffice to say, if I did put money on something like the US Open, it'd be no more than a 5 spot.

Roofer wrote:That said, I've never seen Tiger +7 ever. Ever. Yeah I know its Winged Foot, and yeah I know its the US Open with its 6" rough, but still....+7?

You obviously missed the Open Championship at Muirfield. Eldrick dropped an 80 on that course. It's rare, but he has blown up every so often.

I guess I got my answer.

And BSmack, you really ought to not take things so literally. I know a gambling addict like you starts to quiver like a teen virgin playing spin the bottle at summer camp when someone says something like "I'd bet on it" or "my money's on.....", but it's not always meant literally, bro. I haven't gambled on sports in years. But you didn't know that, so you're forgiven (quite a forgiving forum/thread we have). Suffice to say, if I did put money on something like the US Open, it'd be no more than a 5 spot.

I didn't mean to imply that you were a gambler. Only that if you were, I'd love to be making bets on this US Open with you. ;)

Felix wrote:
I want to change my dark horse pick to Maarten Lafeber

fuckin douchebag.......nice 83

Christ on a crutch, back to back 76s?? So much for my theory. Please feel free to call me out on my horrible take.

As hard as that course is playing, there's still a chance that Tiger can make the cut.

Not a very good chance or anything...but a chance.

If the leaders drop 3 strokes, it's an automatic made-the-cut for him. Then again, if the leader(s) drop 3 strokes, I'm not sure there will even be much of a cut. If you're within 10 of the leader, you get to play the weekend, regardless how many people are left.


Could be a very interesting afternoon.

Dinsdale wrote:If the leaders drop 3 strokes, it's an automatic made-the-cut for him.

Stricker is in the clubhouse at -1, so Tiger is basically done. The only hope he has is for the guys who are still on the course that are currently 1 and 2 shots ahead of him to end up at +13 or worse.

Oh, and David Duval is freaking -1 today. It'd be all kinds of crazy if Duval makes the cut(which he will, as long as he doesn't blow up the back 9), and Tiger doesn't.

Of course, if Tiger does, then so does Jake -- they both went 76/76.


If the leader(s) drop a stroke or two, Ben Crane gets to continue, too.