He was first alternate after losing in a qualifier playoff.
There were 6 spots set aside for players moving into the top 60 in world rankings in the final ratings period, and only one of those spots was claimed (Johnson Wagner who moved into 60th) so the remaining 5 spots were allocated to the alternates.
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Ernie Eles had this to say yesterday about all the rain that has fallen so far since Friday:
Q. Can you just talk about how the course played yesterday? You had a good bit of rain on Friday and Saturday. And what do you expect if it does remain soft? Is the scoring going to be easier? How will it play differently than the way they'd like it?
A: Yesterday it was beautiful. It was just starting to dry out. The greens were getting a little bit firmer. The surfaces are just unbelievable. The fairways were still quite wet. I guess they couldn't get the rollers on the fairways. But the fairways are also getting a little bit firmer. But they're still soft. After the rain this morning, it's going to be very sloppy now. You're not going to see a firm U.S. Open this year, I'm sorry. I don't care if they get helicopters flying over the fairways, it's not going to dry up.
We're going to have a soft golf course this week all week. It means that if you're on your game you're going to have a lot of birdie putts. There's quite a few par‑4s where you've just got to put it in the fairway. You can put it in the fairway with an iron, from a 5‑iron for a 3‑iron, just putting it into play, and then you've got quite a short second shot.
I can see pin placements are going to be quite tough to protect the course. You're going to see a lot more birdies than ever at U.S. Open venues. But the finish is still very strong. The par‑3s are very, very strong. And there's some par‑4s; 5 and 6, obviously 18 and 14 is a very strong hole. So there's some really strong par‑4s, but then you've got some birdie chances. I should say the par‑3s are going to be tough.
Much of the same on Monday, forcing officials to shut down the course twice, today calls for a 30% of rain, 20% tomorrow, 60% on Thursday, and 40% on Friday. Saturday looks good and then its back into a 20% of rain on Sunday.
The No. 11 hole is of particular concern. Officials have an emergency plan that would see players shift from the East Course to the adjacent West Course for a couple of holes if 11 and 12 are deemed too soggy. Matt Shaffer (superintendent) said that No. 11 is the lowest point on the golf course and it's where two creeks come together.
The rain has all the experts predicting record low scoring. Should be interesting to see if the USGA takes it to the extreme with pin positions to try and neutralize how soft this course is going to be.
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Going with Graeme McDowell to win this weekend. Two wins in last four starts, including the RBC Heritage and the Volvo World Match Play Championship. He's 7-for-7 in the U.S. Open with a win in 2010 and a T2 last year. I'll go with the young Dane Thorbjorn Olesen as my dark horse pick.Who you got? Dark horse pick?
Going with Graeme McDowell to win this weekend. Two wins in last four starts, including the RBC Heritage and the Volvo World Match Play Championship. He's 7-for-7 in the U.S. Open with a win in 2010 and a T2 last year. I'll go with the young Dane Thorbjorn Olesen as my dark horse pick.Who you got? Dark horse pick?
With no thought put in, I have Rory returning to form to win, with Keegan Bradley as my not-so-dark horse
I really don't remember a year like this where the weather seems like it's the winner every week. Wicked storms and wind and the horn going off seems like every broadcast I watch. Could be just the times I'm tuning in but sure seems like a weird weather year for the PGA tour.
I really don't remember a year like this where the weather seems like it's the winner every week. Wicked storms and wind and the horn going off seems like every broadcast I watch. Could be just the times I'm tuning in but sure seems like a weird weather year for the PGA tour.
I live in Virginia, and it's been a very stormy spring. Last couple springs were super hot, almost no rain, and we were into water restrictions already. This year we have big thunder storms nearly every day, and the rivers are almost flooding.
The scores aren't nearly what everyone was predicting earlier this week. Pretty typical US Open Thursday- a few below par, but not many. Despite the slow conditions, the rough is just killing them.
Has been really tough on them since the weather delay ended.
Last edited by Flabbibulin; 06-13-2013 at 12:25 PM.
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Funny how nationality can affect news reporting. TSN showing that Mickelson is leading after Round 1 at the US Open. They correctly state that he is the clubhouse leader at -3. BBC is reporting that Donald is leading the US Open as he is -4 and not finished Round 1.
Obviously both are correct but I wonder if the roles were reversed, Mickelson -4, Donald clubhouse leader, would the reporting change to suit "nationalistic interests?"
What a missed opportunity by Phil- one of the best ball striking rounds he has had in a long time and the putter was a mess. Could have easily been 3 or 4 under on the round.
Crazy though- best golfers in the world and only 2 of them are under par.
Pretty rare to have just one golfer under par after 3 rounds. Hope Phil has a good day tomorrow and wins it. He's been the most consistent so far through three rounds as well.
