U.S. Open In Disarray

Posted by John

June 20, 2009

The luck of the draw certainly plays its part in golf, but at this year’s US Open it IS the story. After Friday’s rounds were over, all of the players in red figures, except 2, came from the second groupings. It couldn’t be clearer that they had a huge advantage.

Those who teed it up Thursday played in rain until play was suspended, then had to come out Friday morning to damp soggy conditions and finish up. The second pairings got to play almost two rounds on Friday as they began late morning, playing until darkness. What they got were dry clubs, quickly draining fairways and rough, and greens soft as a baby’s bottom. The leaders were firing at the flags, even with their hybrids.

It may get even better with the original 2nd pairings from Thursday finishing their rounds today beginning at 7:30 – while it’s forecasted to be dry. Thunderstorms are predicted later in the day, maybe just in time to ruin the rounds of those who endured the elements on Thursday.

As far as I can recall, never has the weather so clearly impacted who is atop an Open leaderboard. What could the USGA have done differently? Cancel Thursday’s play and start the tournament on Friday? Maybe, but what’s done is done now.

I’ve read every publication I can find and no one seems to be saying how the rounds will proceed to conclusion. Piecing together bits of information, it looks like the 2nd round play will conclude today, the 3rd round will be played tomorrow and the 4th round will go Monday – all weather permitting of course. Am I mistaken that the USGA, responsible for a sport that loves rules and certainty, should clearly make known their intentions?

Predictions are out the window now. Neither Doug nor I could have guessed in our wildest dreams that David Duval – whose comeback we have followed closely for years - would be a couple of strokes from the lead as of early this morning. Or how about a couple of amateurs leading at the conclusion of the first round of the early pairings?

If nothing else, the pundits will be discussing this US Open for years with all the shoulda, coulda, and woulda’s unless Tiger somehow wins it. That looks to be pretty far fetched at the moment, but you never know. Tiger is Mr. Miraculous and Mother Nature may not be finished playing with our beloved and truly ‘open’ golf tournament.