I’m in the process of watching a Tivo replay of round one of the US Open and thought I’d jot down a few thoughts.
This just might be the year a British player wins it. At the end of the day, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey (the world’s number 8 and 9, respectively) are right there.
Phil’s putting is killing him. I just watched him miss a completely makable putt on the fourth (his 13th, since he started on the back). I think that’s more of a factor than his supposed bad decisions. But at +4, I think he’s already out of the tournament. He’ll make the cut, but I don’t know if he can get into contention.
But Phil is ever-positive, saying that all he needs is an under par round on Friday, since a score over par will be the eventual winner at Pebble Beach.
Eldrick Woods didn’t play any better. Neither he, nor Mickelson, made a birdie. And I’m sick of hearing the announcers talk about Tiger. He’s not going to win this one.
KJ Choi seems to agree with Mickelson’s assessment that even par would win it: “Every day,” he said, “even par is a good situation.”
There’s no magic for Tom Watson here. He won’t make the cut.
Dustin Johnson, winner of the last two Pebble Beach Pro Ams, could add another Pebble Beach title to his resume. I heard a lot of players and analysts say today that the Pro-Am really doesn’t prepare you for the US Open, but Dustin clearly is very comfortable here.
Its late. I’m giving up.
Jim Furyk is looking pretty good. He could be there at the end.
Shaun Micheel might not be a one-hit wonder. But I’m not yet convinced.
Brendon De Jonge?
Rafael Cabrera Bello?
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Thus far, my predictions from yesterday are looking pretty good. I had Donald and Kuchar contending with Furyk winning it. To be honest, I thought everyone’s Mickelson and Westwood picks were way off base. Phil will never win a US Open and Westwood will never win a major. I’d put good money on both of those.
Wow. Phil won’t win a US Open? I hope that’s wrong. He’s obviously the #2 player of his generation, and not having a US Open would be telling. I think he’ll win one. But I don’t think he’ll complete the slam.
I was there on the 72nd hole at Winged Foot watching Phil choke it away. Hard to watch. I think he wants it TOO bad. Plus, US Open set up’s do not fit hit game at all. I think he might even miss the cut this year (just like he did at Torrey). Like I said, he wants it too bad, especially at these California venues, and it works against him.
He’s a great player, but I do not believe he will ever win the US Open…I really don’t.
I agree with your assessment on Tiger. The game just isn’t there yet, and this is the best I’ve seen him play thus far in his return. Phil may be onto something, but he has to shoot under par today or he’s in the same boat. Micheel doesn’t get much fanfare, but he’s been a solid player since his PGA win. I was pretty impressed with the way he played yesterday. After round one, my biggest question may be whether Poulter goes nuts with his wardrobe after being “OutPoultered” by Ishikawa with that freakishly pink outfit.
Phil on fire now. -4 after 10 – back to even. If he can go -3 in the next 8, that puts him at T1.
Happy for Phil.
Sad for me. No free driver this weekend. O’Hair isn’t coming back from +5 land.
Now Thril is -5 after 11. If he doesn’t get the stupids, I bet he will be sole #1 at the end of 18.
Tiger, still out. And probably sick that Phil is -5 today. Good.