2015 U.S. Open

[Jack Lambert]

I figured I'd get the thread started for the 115th edition of the U.S. Open, to be played at Chambers Bay this week. It's only an 8 year-old course, and it looks like a British links-style course. It should be a bit different than "traditional" U.S. Open courses in that regard. With a lot of players having not played Chambers Bay, it should be an interesting week.

As for rooting interests, I'm really hoping Phil Mickelson can complete his career grand slam, which would be a crowning achievement to an amazing career. If he can't, I would like to see Jordan Spieth win and build off his Masters victory

 

[Carolina Speed]

I figured I'd get the thread started for the 115th edition of the U.S. Open, to be played at Chambers Bay this week. It's only an 8 year-old course, and it looks like a British links-style course. It should be a bit different than "traditional" U.S. Open courses in that regard. With a lot of players having not played Chambers Bay, it should be an interesting week.

As for rooting interests, I'm really hoping Phil Mickelson can complete his career grand slam, which would be a crowning achievement to an amazing career. If he can't, I would like to see Jordan Spieth win and build off his Masters victory

JL, Mickelson has as good a chance as anyone. He's gotten a little longer than last year and he finished with a 65 today at The FedEx St. Jude in Memphis today.

I'll be pulling for Spieth first with Phil right in there, maybe 1 and 1A between he and Spieth. Also McIlroy and or Dustin Johnson to get his first Major.

It should be an interesting week at Chambers Bay!

 

[Jack Lambert]

JL, Mickelson has as good a chance as anyone. He's gotten a little longer than last year and he finished with a 65 today at The FedEx St. Jude in Memphis today.

I'll be pulling for Spieth first with Phil right in there, maybe 1 and 1A between he and Spieth. Also McIlroy and or Dustin Johnson to get his first Major.

It should be an interesting week at Chambers Bay!

I agree! I was watching the tournament today as well. I was mostly watching it to watch Mickelson, as there ended up being a complete lack of top golfers in the tournament besides him, especially after Dustin Johnson withdrew on Day 1. Great to see him with a great round going into the U.S. Open. He made some great putts today. Also, he had a pretty cool moment on the 18th green today as well:

[video=youtube;noHNoZMUE2c]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noHNoZMUE2c[/video]

In addition to the couple we've mentioned, I wouldn't mind seeing Bubba Watson (who Phil will be paired with the first couple rounds) win either. He's another golfer I like to see do well, as he's a Christian, down to Earth guy who doesn't drink and is a great family man. Regardless of what happens with the guys we'd like to see, I'll definitely be tuned in for the weekend! I'm hoping the Former Great One doesn't have a shock weekend.

 

[Don Wassall]

Speaking of Phil, I'll go off-topic. I was watching the Women's PGA championship a bit yesterday and today (won for the third year in a row by Korean-born U.S. resident Inbee Park; another Korean was the only other competitor within four strokes of her). This major was ruined for me as it was sponsored by a corporation called KPMG, which ran commercials showing a female golfer hitting a shot that broke a "glass ceiling" in some ritzy golf club, replete with pictures of "old white men" to drive home the anything but subtle message. At the end of the ad Phil Mickelson is shown picking up one of the shards of glass and looking at it. The NBC announcers had to finish their spiel about the tournament and KPMG's involvement each time with the reminder that KPMG is "helping women shatter glass ceilings, on the golf course and everywhere else."

Yes, those poor oppressed millionaire female golf pros, and the poor oppressed upper middle class and upper class women watching the event. Of course it was the KPMG corporation and NBC that foisted the offensive and completely unnecessary feminist theme on the tournament, as the Permanent Cultural Marxist Revolution always has been and still is a top-down engineered one.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Speaking of Phil, I'll go off-topic. I was watching the Women's PGA championship a bit yesterday and today (won for the third year in a row by Korean-born U.S. resident Inbee Park; another Korean was the only other competitor within four strokes of her). This major was ruined for me as it was sponsored by a corporation called KPMG, which ran commercials showing a female golfer hitting a shot that broke a "glass ceiling" in some ritzy golf club, replete with pictures of "old white men" to drive home the anything but subtle message. At the end of the ad Phil Mickelson is shown picking up one of the shards of glass and looking at it. The NBC announcers had to finish their spiel about the tournament and KPMG's involvement each time with the reminder that KPMG is "helping women shatter glass ceilings, on the golf course and everywhere else."

Yes, those poor oppressed millionaire female golf pros, and the poor oppressed upper middle class and upper class women watching the event. Of course it was the KPMG corporation and NBC that foisted the offensive and completely unnecessary feminist theme on the tournament, as the Permanent Cultural Marxist Revolution always has been and still is a top-down engineered one.

I know it isn't golf related, but that commercial you mentioned makes me think of that recently changed (thank God) commercial for Skyla, one of the most annoying commercials I've ever experienced. Bunch of cackling hens.

 

[icsept]

I'm very excited for this tournament. Chambers Bay is an interesting venue with a striking layout. I will rely on the "anybody but Tiger" principle which has made the last 28 majors enjoyable. Once Tiger craps out, I will expect Spieth, Rose, maybe a Horschel or Koepka to play well. Sentimental favorite will be Mickelson. Hopefully some drama and entertaining golf.

 

[Jack Lambert]

About halfway through the first day, with a lot of guys still yet to tee off, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson have the early clubhouse lead at -5. Patrick Reed is currently at -3 after making bogey on 8 (he started on the back 9) to tie with Matt Kuchar. Phil Mickelson finishes at -1. Bubba and Sergio finish at even par, and Rory finishes at +2 along with Martin Kaymer.

 

[Carolina Speed]

About halfway through the first day, with a lot of guys still yet to tee off, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson have the early clubhouse lead at -5. Patrick Reed is currently at -3 after making bogey on 8 (he started on the back 9) to tie with Matt Kuchar. Phil Mickelson finishes at -1. Bubba and Sergio finish at even par, and Rory finishes at +2 along with Martin Kaymer.

Not a whole lot of change with the exception of Ben Martin at -3 after 3 and JB Holmes -2 after 8. Spieth even after 4 and Woods T-113 at +3.

correction Spieth +1 after 5.

Watched a little bit this afternoon and I know Bubba Watson is popular, but his whining is getting old. He complained quite a bit through his round today. Kind of like Tiger without the cursing.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Not a whole lot of change with the exception of Ben Martin at -3 after 3 and JB Holmes -2 after 8. Spieth even after 4 and Woods T-113 at +3.

correction Spieth +1 after 5.

Watched a little bit this afternoon and I know Bubba Watson is popular, but his whining is getting old. He complained quite a bit through his round today. Kind of like Tiger without the cursing.

Tiger +4 now and slamming clubs!

 

[Jack Lambert]

Tiger +4 now and slamming clubs!

If I had a dollar for every time these announcers mention one of Tiger's U.S. Open victories or the fact he has 14 majors, I could retire soon. FOX's coverage of their first major has been good so far, but they're just like the other networks when it comes to the Tiger worship.

 

[Freethinker]

Henrik Stenson gets in a nice jab at the oft-injured, primadonna at the end of his round.

http://www.cbssports.com/golf/eye-o...tenson-takes-a-jab-at-tiger-woods-after-round

Gotta love the Big Swede!

 

[Don Wassall]

Woods at +5 now and just hit a tee shot horribly right. But a thunderstorm has knocked my DirecTV reception out and I won't get to see if he gets a possible double bogey. :icon_wink:

 

[Carolina Speed]

Woods at +5 now and just hit a tee shot horribly right. But a thunderstorm has knocked my DirecTV reception out and I won't get to see if he gets a possible double bogey. :icon_wink:

Now at +10, T-154. Second to last place!

 

[Jack Lambert]

Woods at +5 now and just hit a tee shot horribly right. But a thunderstorm has knocked my DirecTV reception out and I won't get to see if he gets a possible double bogey. :icon_wink:

If you're talking about the 14th, I believe he triple-bogeyed the hole just now. Tiger is absolutely terrible right now. Even Greg Norman didn't have words after he triple-bogeyed the hole. I think he's at +8 right now.

 

[Carolina Speed]

If you're talking about the 14th, I believe he triple-bogeyed the hole just now. Tiger is absolutely terrible right now. Even Greg Norman didn't have words after he triple-bogeyed the hole. I think he's at +8 right now.

+ 10. T-154 second to last place!

 

[Jack Lambert]

+ 10. T-154 second to last place!

It's not just Tiger in that group at this point. They've played some of the worst golf I've ever seen from accomplished tour players. Tiger's +9, Fowler's close to around that, and Oosthuizen is +6. Absolutely dreadful.


In updates from some of CF's favorite players, Spieth finishes at -2, and Rose at +2.

 

[Fortitud3]

The entire trio of Woods, Fowler, and Oosthuizen are playing awful. +26 between the 3 of them.

 

[Carolina Speed]

It's not just Tiger in that group at this point. They've played some of the worst golf I've ever seen from accomplished tour players. Tiger's +9, Fowler's close to around that, and Oosthuizen is +6. Absolutely dreadful.


In updates from some of CF's favorite players, Spieth finishes at -2, and Rose at +2.

Tiger cold topped a shot on the 18th fairway.

Yes, Fowler played bad also, but had enough class to do an interview after the round. They announced that Steinberg, Tiger's agent said Woods would not do any interviews after his round.

 

[Don Wassall]

Tiger cold topped a shot on the 18th fairway.

Yes, Fowler played bad also, but had enough class to do an interview after the round. They announced that Steinberg, Tiger's agent said Woods would not do any interviews after his round.

That may have been the worst shot I've ever seen a pro hit.

Woods ends up with 80, his second round in the 80s in two weeks and his third one this year; in his 19 years on tour before this year he'd only had one round in the 80s, and that was in the British Open on a day when the wind was howling and it was pouring rain. So far in 2015 Woods has more rounds in the 80s (3) than he does in the 60s (2).

 

[Jack Lambert]

Tiger cold topped a shot on the 18th fairway.

Yes, Fowler played bad also, but had enough class to do an interview after the round. They announced that Steinberg, Tiger's agent said Woods would not do any interviews after his round.

That's very true. I know my friend and I watching the round were commenting on that as well. That's why I really don't mind too much if Fowler wins; the guy is pure class. Obviously I would like to see others win before him, but if he wins, that's fine with me.

Here's a fun stat: 15 year old amateur Cole Hammer, who's going to be a sophomore in high school, shot a better round (+7) than Tiger did!!

To update the day: Stenson and Dustin Johnson are on top at -5, while Spieth, Mickelson, and others are within 4 shots of the leader. McIlroy, Kaymer and Rose are over par, but still a lot of golf to be played.

 

[Thrashen]

That may have been the worst shot I've ever seen a pro hit.

Woods ends up with 80, his second round in the 80s in two weeks and his third one this year; in his 19 years on tour before this year he'd only had one round in the 80s, and that was in the British Open on a day when the wind was howling and it was pouring rain. So far in 2015 Woods has more rounds in the 80s (3) than he does in the 60s (2).

[video=youtube;nFTR1q6PYUo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFTR1q6PYUo[/video]

I like how the announcers say: “It’s hard to watch...and nothing is harder to watch than that.â€

Another “Tiger Blooper,†haha…

So he’ll most likely miss the cut at the US Open…and then what? Will the sheer humiliation of being the most talked about, interviewed, highly covered, and fawned over golfer on the PGA Tour (whilst playing the worst golf of his career) finally force Eldrick to take a sabbatical from the game? I sincerely hope not, as I find the “Dejected Loser Tiger†to be a pathetic, yet fascinating specimen.

The only non-whites in contention thus far are the half-Asian Jason Day, a Polynesian named Tony Finua, two Japanese golfers, and Kevin Na.

 

[Freethinker]

Eldrick really looks like a weekend hacker on many of these shots. Don's goal might be closer than he thinks.

Serious question. How does a pro get booted from the PGA tour for poor play? What are the qualifications to stay on?

 

[Carolina Speed]

Eldrick really looks like a weekend hacker on many of these shots. Don's goal might be closer than he thinks.

Serious question. How does a pro get booted from the PGA tour for poor play? What are the qualifications to stay on?

Freethinker, there are a lot of different ways to stay on The PGA Tour. I don't know them all, but I'll list the ones I am aware of.

The best way to stay on is to win a Tournament. A regular every week tournament such as The Fed Ex St. Jude Classic which was played last week will get you a two year exemption. Major tournaments such as the Masters carries a longer exemption. You also can come back to the Masters as long as want if you win. Here a list of the exemptions I know of.

Any Major win and the Players gets you a 5 year exemption.
A WGC event 3 year exemption
A PGA win, 2 year exemption
top 125 money 1 year exemption

Top 50/25 all time money winner a 1 time 1 year exemption.

Win the British Open and you can come back for 10 years. The PGA and US Open may have similar exemptions.

I believe if you win a certain amount of tournaments, say 20, you have a lifetime exempt status, I think.

So, I guess someone like Tiger can play forever since he's won over 20 tournaments no matter how bad he plays.

 

[Don Wassall]

Also, some qualify each year from feeder tours like the Web.com Tour. More pertinent in Woods' case, there are also sponsor exemptions, which is how John Daly continues to play some PGA Tour events long after he couldn't qualify any other way. It's hard to imagine Tiger not being able to get sponsors' exemptions as long as he wants to play; the corporations have always thrown silly money Tiger's way and it would be "raycist" if they ever stopped.

 

[Don Wassall]

This is the first big tournament televised by Fox. I like the choices of Greg Norman, Corey Pavin and Tom Weiskopf. Joe Buck seems to be Fox Sports' go-to guy for everything, but there's always been something about him that strikes me as a bit odd.

All the "diversity" of course is devoted to the Magical Race even though, 20 years into the "Tiger era" in which they were supposed to take over the sport, blacks are as best I can tell nowhere to be found in the top 1,000 male and female players. Curt Menafee is the studio anchor -- a job that increasingly can only be held by black males and white females no matter the sport -- while Charles Davis is the reporter interviewing players after their rounds.

If there is going to be "diversity," logic would dictate it would be in the form of Asians, who dominate the women's tour and are increasingly visible on the men's tour. But no, as always there is a certain group that must always be over-represented to an extreme degree.