2018 U.S. Open

[Carolina Speed]

Dustin Johnson is currently in control of The U.S. Open at -4. If he should win, it would be his second U.S. Open in 3 years. Johnson won last week in Memphis also, holing out for an eagle on the 18th hole of the final round!
Johnson, -4
Piercy, E
Hoffman, E
Fleetwood, +1
Stenson, +1
Rose, +1
Koepka, +1
Poulter, +1
Several big names missed the cut. Including, Day, Garcia, McIlroy, Rahm, Spieth, Watson, and Woods.

 

[Shadowlight]

I am rooting for DJ but his putting has let him down and now Koepka has wrested control. Patrick Reed is charging and so is Fleetwood but he is already on the back nine. DJ is still in the mix and this looks to be a classic final round.

On all day so worth settling back and watching.

 

[Don Wassall]

I didn't get to watch any of this year's Open, but Brooks Koepka becoming the first back to back winner in 29 years is quite the accomplishment. I hope he starts winning some non-majors -- I think he's only won one other tournament besides the two Open wins -- to cement his place as one of the sport's big stars.

That also makes five straight majors won by Americans. I normally don't get caught up in that kind of stuff, but with Oriental girls dominating the LPGA for a long stretch now and the dramatic long-term decline of American tennis among both men and (White) women, it's nice to see our lads back at the top in golf. This year's Ryder Cup in France should be a must-watch event.

 

[BeyondFedUp]

I didn't get to watch even a single putt of it either. Koepka getting two US Opens in a row is good, especially for the reasons Don stated.

I'm also somewhat taken aback so few posts during the Open we're made. I was kinda following the thread. It's summer and I know a lot of posters are busy, but a surprise nonetheless.

 

[Shadowlight]

Dustin Johnson could have three or four majors by now if he could putt. Damn. Didn't make any intermediate short putts all day and missed some fairly close ones too. Koepka did some nifty scrambling and unlike Dustin Johnson made some intermediate short putts. Patrick Reed was lurking close but Koepka kept control as Reed stumbled a bit late.

I think the other big story for me was the emergence of Brit Tommy Fleetwood who absolutely dazzled the crowds on Sunday with a 63. He had a chance to set a US Open all time low round but missed some late birdie putts. Very exciting talent so add another one to the stable of growing young talents that are moving to the forefront of the PGA tour today.

 

[Don Wassall]

As I mentioned before I wasn't able to watch any of it unfortunately as I love golf's majors, but Johnson's close calls and failures in majors are really starting to add up now. He's about to turn 34 and has been number one in the world pretty much for the past year so the next few years are his prime ones to win majors. If he only wins one or even two he'll be thought of as an underachiever though he'll make the golf hall of fame given how low the standards are for it. Dustin and Koepka are quite likely the two best pure athletes the sport has ever seen, but while athleticism matters in golf it doesn't matter as much as it does in other sports. Slobs can be quite successful pro golfers, even though thankfully there are few of them left now.

 

[Shadowlight]

No question many of the tour players are excellent athletes. Dustin Johnson's all around athletic ability has been noted. Not a big fan of the bulked up Koepka look. Looks like he has been doing nautilus. Ha. Remember when that was a fad? I never cared for it myself.

But take a look at some of the stars. Spieth has a sleek athletic build and so does the exciting Tommy Fleetwood. Then there is Jon Rahm who is a strong bull at 6'2" 220.

And what about Justin Thomas? He clocked a drive at the US Open that went (NO THIS IS NOT A MISPRINT) 422 yards. Whoa Nelly. And he is 5'11" and 155. That is called quick twitch athleticism.

Like race car drivers most golfers are incredibly fit.

And I will throw in an old timer, the modern day version of Jack Lalanne, Gary Player. He still looks like he could beat the crap out of everybody and out run, walk or swim anyone who dares challenge him. Talk about fit. And to boot one of the greatest golfers to ever live.

Sorry you missed the tournament Don as your thoughts would have been welcome.

 

[Don Wassall]

Would have liked to have viewed a good chunk of it but was at a political conference in Tennessee where I met CF cult hero Patrick Little and renewed many longstanding friendships and acquaintances.

I will do my best to watch the fast approaching British Open, where it will be interesting to see if an American golfer can keep the streak of wins in majors going as the Ryder Cup approaches in a few months. You can bet the European team views the Ryder Cup as a must-win as much as the U.S. team did in '16, even more so if a Yank wins The Open next month.

 

[BeyondFedUp]

Ok Don, You know we're going to ask, so tell us about meeting Patrick Little. Did you discuss anything with him or was it a quick shake of hands and you both moved on? Do tell sir. And thank you in advance!

Would have liked to have viewed a good chunk of it but was at a political conference in Tennessee where I met CF cult hero Patrick Little and renewed many longstanding friendships and acquaintances. ... ... ...

 

[Don Wassall]

I liked Patrick Little. I believe he is probably sincere though I am not an expert when it comes to judging character. Quite frankly, I think Americans have been and remain the world's most naive people when it comes to being taken in by professional liars and psychopaths. In Patrick's case, he has virtually nothing to gain unless he is undertaking a mission, and he does have a military background, which makes men more disciplined and reliable.

At any rate, he struck me as someone much like his videos, forthright and idealistic, and wondering why there aren't many more like him doing what is right. I asked him what his plan for the next 12 months is, and he said he will go anywhere and speak. He also said he will keep running for the U.S. Senate in California and that if he keeps getting one percent more each time he will eventually be elected when he is very old.

Now to go off on my semi-obligatory rant, if he does indeed have leadership qualities, he needs a grassroots organization behind him, but there is no chance of one with his approach. The young racially aware Whites often bash the Baby Boomers, but to me the young generation is proving to be almost completely useless, sealing this country's fate. The young are the ones who should be beating the bushes as activists, grunts if you will, but activism is now all but extinct in the U.S. even as nationalist parties continue to make strides in many European countries. So I'll leave it at that, but yes if sincere Patrick Little is someone who can be very effective as he becomes wiser. Alas, most people -- men especially -- only gain wisdom well past their physical peak. The older among us should serve to give the younger among us direction, but right now in Amerika we are little more than a scattered group of people posting anonymously on the internet and nothing more.

 

[BeyondFedUp]

Excellent summation, Don. Glad you two got to speak to one another. And I agree on all your points. Good insights.