2012 US Open

[Jack Lambert]

Well, I thought I'd start a thread for the 2012 edition of the US Open. The media is probably having a wet dream right now over how the tournament started out. Tiger played good; his two playing companions withered, with Mickelson +6 and Bubba at +8. I hope the tournament gets better, or we could be seeing Tiger lifting the trophy on Sunday.

 

[Don Wassall]

You beat me to the punch, Jack. Yes, hopefully it doesn't turn into a Tiger lovefest but there's still a long way to go. The field averaged 2.64 strokes over par for the first 6 holes, the most difficult stretch of holes ever in an Open.

Looks like the precision shot makers have the advantage on a very tough course. I remember the last time the tournament was held on the Olympic course, in 1998. Lee Janzen eeked out a narrow victory over Payne Stewart. Stewart would go on to win the U.S. Open the next year in memorable fashion over Phil Mickelson, only to tragically die several months later in an airplane crash.

 

[bigunreal]

It appears that whatever strides young white golfers had made in regards to not being intimidated by Woods have disappeared. Mickelson's performance today was a disgrace, and a good example of why a guy with that kind of talent manages to come up short in big tournaments so often. HE should be the one who's confident in playing with Woods, who should be the one who is pressing to "prove" he's back.

Bubba Watson's implosion was predictable. He's probably never going to win a U.S. Open with his style of play. As I've noted before, the only golfer who can beat Woods is himself. If Woods is near the top of the leader board, the white golfers around him will wilt. Every time. Every one of them. The only golfers who stand up to him are the Asians. Apparently, they don't understand the lessons taught daily on television.

It was so nice watching golf for the past few years. But even though Woods was looking washed up, no one golfer stepped forward to claim his mantle. What is it- the last 11 majors won by different golfers? What has happened to Padric Harrington? Reteif Goodsen? And now Rory McElroy. Woods truly has no real rival, unless you count Mickelson. With 10 less majors, that's not much of a rivalry.

Woods could still blow up, and I hope I'm wrong, but I think it's very likely he will win.

 

[Claimjumper]

BSPN has a predictable article: Tiger Steals show with 69

Apparently shooting a 66 as Michael Thompson did, 3 shots clear of the field, isn't worthy of a mention

 

[Jack Lambert]

It appears that whatever strides young white golfers had made in regards to not being intimidated by Woods have disappeared. Mickelson's performance today was a disgrace, and a good example of why a guy with that kind of talent manages to come up short in big tournaments so often. HE should be the one who's confident in playing with Woods, who should be the one who is pressing to "prove" he's back.

Bubba Watson's implosion was predictable. He's probably never going to win a U.S. Open with his style of play. As I've noted before, the only golfer who can beat Woods is himself. If Woods is near the top of the leader board, the white golfers around him will wilt. Every time. Every one of them. The only golfers who stand up to him are the Asians. Apparently, they don't understand the lessons taught daily on television.

It was so nice watching golf for the past few years. But even though Woods was looking washed up, no one golfer stepped forward to claim his mantle. What is it- the last 11 majors won by different golfers? What has happened to Padric Harrington? Reteif Goodsen? And now Rory McElroy. Woods truly has no real rival, unless you count Mickelson. With 10 less majors, that's not much of a rivalry.

Woods could still blow up, and I hope I'm wrong, but I think it's very likely he will win.

I unfortunatly think so too, bigunreal. After watching the top three golfers in the world in Luke Donald, Rory McElroy, and Lee Westwood implode worse than Phil did today, there is going to be nobody left to catch Woods, even if he does struggle.

I don't think there's any way Michael Thompson is going to be in the lead by the end of the day tomorrow. I hope I'm wrong, but I think he'll fall back in line with the rest of the white golfers. The media coverage of the Great One is going to be very hard to stomach this weekend, that's for sure, especially with his "magical" and "amazing" 69 he shot today.

If it is Asians like Ishikawa or Na who stand up to Woods, so be it. I'd cheer for them anyday over Woods.

 

[bigunreal]

This might as well be scripted. It's over- Woods is going to win, and the media reaction will be unbearable. With not an Asian in sight on the leader board, there is no way any of these "white boys" are going to compete with the magical one.

I just saw Woods get yet another absolutely perfect lie in the rough. You know, the kind mere mortal golfers never get. And he gets them EVERY time. I have never seen Woods with a bad lie. I'm sure we'll also be treated to some of his patented magical bounces. Somehow, his ball always bounces the right way for him. How is this kind of supernatural luck possible?

He shows no signs of blowing up. Hitting every fair way, the few bad shots bouncing perfectly and ending up with incomprehensibly great lies. Combined with the fact he has to realize that no one is going to challenge him, it is just going to be impossible for the media's all time favorite "athlete" not to win.

 

[Don Wassall]

I'm not a big fan of the flaky Johnnny Miller (who can also be extremely harsh when a (White) player hits a bad shot, because we all know Johnny never hit a bad shot), but he and the rest of the NBC announcing team are nirvana compared to ESPN's troop, which includes Mike Tirico and the coarse Cultural Marxist Chris Berman. Everytime I hear Berman it's as though Rodney Dangerfield's character from Caddyshack has been put in the booth.

 

[Matra2]

Chris Berman doesn't have the gravitas for golf. At times he talks over the others and sounds like someone watching in a bar shouting at the TV. His "whooping it up" is actually quite embarrassing.

 

[sport historian]

This might as well be scripted. It's over- Woods is going to win, and the media reaction will be unbearable. With not an Asian in sight on the leader board, there is no way any of these "white boys" are going to compete with the magical one.

I just saw Woods get yet another absolutely perfect lie in the rough. You know, the kind mere mortal golfers never get. And he gets them EVERY time. I have never seen Woods with a bad lie. I'm sure we'll also be treated to some of his patented magical bounces. Somehow, his ball always bounces the right way for him. How is this kind of supernatural luck possible?

He shows no signs of blowing up. Hitting every fair way, the few bad shots bouncing perfectly and ending up with incomprehensibly great lies. Combined with the fact he has to realize that no one is going to challenge him, it is just going to be impossible for the media's all time favorite "athlete" not to win.

Why hasn't the ball bounced right for Woods in his recent major tournaments? If something (or somebody) is helping him this weekend, why did they wait until now?

 

[bigunreal]

SH, Tiger never stopped getting his incredible bounces and unbelievable lies. The difference the past few years has been that he was blowing up repeatedly, so that even his great luck couldn't save him.

Also, Woods' media assisted immense self-confidence took a major blow with his off the field escapades, and I think the little Asian Yang standing up to him and defeating him head to head at the PGA really pierced his huge ego as well.

I don't think there is a secret technology to control the flight of golf balls. However, Woods continues to prosper from the unwillingness of virtually every other golfer to stand up to him. If the powers that be instructed the other golfers on tour to let Woods win, they couldn't do a better job of it.

It would be interesting to see just how indestructible the magical one would be, if he faced the prospect of another talented golfer near the top of the leader board shooting a 66 or something, especially if they were paired together. Jack Nicklaus faced that prospect numerous times, which is why he finished second in 21 majors during his storied career. Just imagine if Nicklaus had had Woods' luck.

 

[Don Wassall]

Woods had a couple of bad lies yesterday, one in particular that was stuck on the grass right above a sandtrap just off the green that caused him to have to take a very awkward stance and he subsequently ended up with a bogey.

White golfers, Phil Mickelson in particular but others as well, have owned Tiger in recent years. At Pebble Beach in February of 2012, Mickelson and Woods were paired in the final round. Phil crushed Woods, outshooting him by 11 strokes that day to win the tournament going away. Here's what our friends at ESPN said afterward: "Woods used to own Mickelson, but that changed at the 2007 Deutsche Bank Championship. This was the fifth straight time Mickelson posted the better score when playing in the same group as Woods in the final round."

Woods' aura of intimidation is gone, or at least is a shadow of what it used to be. However, he is 36 years old, an age when most golfers are at their peak. Woods has undeniably been a great golfer; if he continues to play very well and wins on a very tough course, then it shows he's still capable of winning a major, nothing more. If Serena Williams still wins a tournament now and then, does it mean she won only because all the other players in the field were intimidated? Is it possible that she won because she played better than the rest?

What I can't stand is the media worship Woods gets, but if he wins I'm not going to say it was only because all the White golfers wilted in his presence. That sounds like sour grapes based on how things were years ago (including implying that a GPS satellite or some other technological fix is causing Woods' balls to end up with better lies than the other golfers). If it happens that he wins it just might have something to do with him being the best golfer in the field for this particular U.S. Open, along with knowing how to handle the pressure of a major.

 

[sport historian]

SH, Tiger never stopped getting his incredible bounces and unbelievable lies. The difference the past few years has been that he was blowing up repeatedly, so that even his great luck couldn't save him.

Also, Woods' media assisted immense self-confidence took a major blow with his off the field escapades, and I think the little Asian Yang standing up to him and defeating him head to head at the PGA really pierced his huge ego as well.

I don't think there is a secret technology to control the flight of golf balls. However, Woods continues to prosper from the unwillingness of virtually every other golfer to stand up to him. If the powers that be instructed the other golfers on tour to let Woods win, they couldn't do a better job of it.

It would be interesting to see just how indestructible the magical one would be, if he faced the prospect of another talented golfer near the top of the leader board shooting a 66 or something, especially if they were paired together. Jack Nicklaus faced that prospect numerous times, which is why he finished second in 21 majors during his storied career. Just imagine if Nicklaus had had Woods' luck.

You won't get very far with luck alone unless you already have skill.

 

[jaxvid]

The only positive form Tiger playing well is the possibility of a choke or crushing defeat. Yes he is a good golfer which makes it sweeter if someone beats him. If he is far down the leaderboard there is no joy in watching him lose that way. However now with the hollowed "leading going into the third round" halo atop his head seeing it get knocked off will be that much better.

Considering how much of a negative rating he gets from fans I'm sure a lot of people are hoping for a big time choke. I think a big part of the adulation from the media is that they know he stirs peoples emotions and will be watching either to cheer him on or enjoy him losing. It's all about ratings which he brings and no one else does.

 

[Jack Lambert]

I don't think Jim Furyk looks "intimidated" by Tiger right now, and Furyk is out playing him so far, +1 to Tiger's +4.

If Tiger wins this weekend, it will be because he's simply the better golfer. He hasn't been getting his "lucky rolls" or "lucky bounces" today.

 

[Van_Slyke_CF]

I can't take much more of Johnny Miller. I had a bit of time yesterday to watch and he was saying to start engraving Tiger's name on the trophy after just a few holes of the second round. And today he has his nose so far up Tiger's rear....

The way Miller talks after anyone other than Tiger misses a putt makes you think that Johnny could play the course in his sleep and still shoot under par.

Why did they make that mistake reading the putt? Why did so-and-so push the ball to the right? blah, blah, blah

I don't care who wins as long as it is not Tiger.

 

[Don Wassall]

Miller is even critical at times of the 17 year old kid who's still in contention. If this was a 17 year old black kid it would be non-stop praise, which Beau Hossler deserves and then some.

Great rounds by both Ernie Els and Lee Westwood today. Both are right in the thick of it now. Graeme McDowell is hanging tough too, as are several others, especially Jim Furyk. I'd like to see one of those four win it tomorrow.

 

[jaxvid]

Woods is such a first class douche bag it's a wonder he has any fans even amongst the DWFs. It's uncomfortable to watch him, from the club throwing, to the scowling to the swearing, it's amazing anyone likes him. I hate playing with guys that are never happy with the shots they hit and bitch and moan all of the time. For a pro to do this is unbelievable. If he were white I guarantee that he would be constantly fined and suspended. There are really no other top players that act as badly as him.

 

[Don Wassall]

Woods also has close to zero interaction with all those fans who adore him. NBC was showing the last few pairings walking down a couple flights of steps on their way to the first hole to begin their round. The fans at the bottom of the steps and those sitting in the stands at the first tee were applauding them. Furyk, Toms and the others waved and acknowledged the cheers. Only one player didn't. That's typical of Woods' m.o. In a sport that's special in part because of the way the players appreciate the fans, Woods prefers an icy cold-blooded stare to signing a few autographs.

 

[Jack Lambert]

I agree Don. Beau Hossler played some good golf today. Miller has no right to criticize him. I wonder what Johnny was doing at 17 years old?? Not contending for the US Open, that's for sure.

Furyk is out playing Woods head to head today, and it's fun to watch. As you mentioned, Els and Westwood also have had great rounds today as well. It'd be cool to see Furyk, Els, Westwood, McDowell, or Hossler win it tomorrow.

I can't understand how fans can cheer for Tiger either. He doesn't even notice them at all. He threw his club again, even after a good shot.

 

[Don Wassall]

I agree Don. Beau Hossler played some good golf today. Miller has no right to criticize him. I wonder what Johnny was doing at 17 years old?? Not contending for the US Open, that's for sure.

Furyk is out playing Woods head to head today, and it's fun to watch. As you mentioned, Els and Westwood also have had great rounds today as well. It'd be cool to see Furyk, Els, Westwood, McDowell, or Hossler win it tomorrow.

I can't understand how fans can cheer for Tiger either. He doesn't even notice them at all. He threw his club again, even after a good shot.

Actually, Miller finished tied for 8th at the U.S. Open at Olympic (his home course) in 1966 when he was a 19 year old amateur, which makes his criticism of Hossler even more despicable. Miller is incredibly knowledgeable about golf but he has a nasty streak in him for everyone but Woods to go along with his flakiness.

 

[bigunreal]

I've just seen two perfect examples of what I'm talking about. Woods hits an awful drive, way off to the right, but it miraculously falls down, in a smooth area, with a perfect line between the trees. The announcers noted his good luck as if this were somehow surprising. Meanwhile, Furyk hits a drive that is only slightly off the fairway, and it becomes, in the words of the announcers, "buried to the roots."

Yes, Woods is unquestionably a great golfer. But it's just as undeniable that he continues to enjoy incredible luck in terms of bounces and lies. You have to be talented to win, but it certainly is easier when you also happen to be lucky.

 

[Jack Lambert]

Actually, Miller finished tied for 8th at the U.S. Open at Olympic (his home course) in 1966 when he was a 19 year old amateur, which makes his criticism of Hossler even more despicable. Miller is incredibly knowledgeable about golf but he has a nasty streak in him for everyone but Woods to go along with his flakiness.

Thanks for the correction Don. I wasn't sure what Miller was doing as an amatuer, but you're right, that makes his criticism worse. I hope Hossler tears it up tomorrow. He also seems like a very humble kid too. I wish him the best.

Furyk has been saving a lot of nice pars today. I hope he can keep it up.

 

[foobar75]

I enjoyed watching the coverage for the last 3 hours. It helped that Tiger struggled today, including that rather embarrassing 3rd shot on the 18th, which led to his 2nd bogey of the day.

He has gotten progressively worse in each round, and if our eternal pessimist bigunreal would take a moment and analyze the situation, it's clear that it would take a monumental collapse by about a dozen men who are ahead of him, plus a great final day by Woods himself to win the Open tomorrow. I guess anything is possible, but it's looking highly likely that the jock-sniffers in the media will be disappointed once again.

I guess those guys operating the GPS equipment which controls Tiger's golf balls had an off day themselves. :grin:

 

[Jack Lambert]

I guess Woods didn't "intimidate" Furyk today, as Furyk throughly outplayed Woods today, shooting even par while Woods was +5.

Also, I did see Furyk get a couple of nice lies, and a lucky bounce today too. I guess playing with Woods got the GPS equipment operators confused, and they accidently blessed Furyk was several nice lies in the rough and even the fortune of getting a lucky bounce.

 

[Westside]

Three things are certain in today's golf:

1. Tiger is a great golfer. 2. He is a consumate A**hole of the highest order. 3. The MSM Sports Media have knee pads on the standby and mouth open on the ready if he should win another major. LOL

But I am glad he had another melt down. Not to rub salt not in his wounds, but to stomp on the figurative testicles of the Sports MSM before their orgasmic explosion if he should win another major. In short to rain additional major sh*t storm on their dyfunctional unhappiness for the chosen one when he loses. LOL