2009 U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage Black, June 18-21

[Red Dog]

2009 U.S. OPEN FACTS & FIGURES:

WHEN -- Thursday-Sunday

WHERE -- Bethpage State Park (Black Course), Farmingdale, NY

COURSE -- The Black is one of five 18-hole courses at Bethpage State Park, the largest public golf facility in the country. Robert Moses, president of the Long Island State Park Commission, brought in A.W. Tillinghast to design the courses, although parks superintendent Joe Burbeck is credited as the architect, with Tillinghast as the consultant. The Black opened in 1936. The price for a state resident is $50 during the week, and $110 for out-of-state players.

LENGTH -- 7,426 yards

PAR -- 35-35--70

FORMAT -- 72 holes of stroke play

CUT -- Top 60 and ties, and anyone within 10 strokes of the lead after 36 holes

PLAYOFF (IF NECESSARY) -- 18 holes of stroke play on Monday

FIELD -- 156 players (142 professionals, 14 amateurs)

PURSE -- TBA ($7.5 million in 2008)

WINNER'S SHARE -- TBA ($1.35 million in 2008)

DEFENDING CHAMPION -- Tiger Woods

LAST YEAR -- Woods had not walked 18 holes since the Masters and, unbeknownst to the public, played with a double stress fracture in his leg and on a left knee with torn ligaments that would require season-ending surgery a week later. He holed a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole Sunday to force an 18-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate, birdied the 18th hole Monday to extend the playoff, then won with a par at No. 7, the 19th hole. It was his 14th major, and one Woods said was "probably the best ever."

LAST TIME AT BETHPAGE BLACK -- Woods opened with a 67 on his way to a wire-to-wire victory. He had a four-shot lead going into the final round, three-putted the opening two holes and saw his lead cut to two shots by Phil Mickelson on the back nine. Woods reached the 13th hole in two for a birdie and closed with a 2-over 72 for a three-shot victory.

CHANGES -- The course has been stretched by 212 yards. Perhaps the most significant is at No. 9, which is 42 yards long and a bunker has been installed at the left corner of the driving area. The par-4 seventh (525 yards) is now longer than the par-5 fourth (517 yards).


TELEVISION --

Thursday
10 a.m.-3 p.m.: First round, ESPN
3-5 p.m.: First round, NBC
5-7 p.m.: First round, ESPN

Friday
10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Second round, ESPN
3-5 p.m.: Second round, NBC
5-7 p.m.: Second round, ESPN

Saturday
2-8 p.m.: Third round, NBC

Sunday
1:30-7:30 p.m.: Final round, NBC

[Red Dog]

Vegasinsider.com odds:
http://www.vegasinsider.com/golf/odds/futures/

FIELD (ALL OTHERS) 5/2
TIGER WOODS 5/2
PHIL MICKELSON 7/1
PADRAIG HARRINGTON 15/1
GEOFF OGILVY 15/1
JIM FURYK 15/1
PAUL CASEY 25/1
RETIEF GOOSEN 25/1
SERGIO GARCIA 25/1
ERNIE ELS 30/1
ANTHONY KIM 30/1
CAMILO VILLEGAS 35/1
HENRIK STENSON 35/1
KENNY PERRY 35/1
RORY MCILROY 35/1
SEAN O'HAIR 35/1
STEVE STRICKER 40/1
VIJAY SINGH 40/1
NICK WATNEY 40/1
ANGEL CABRERA 40/1
ADAM SCOTT 50/1
CHAD CAMPBELL 50/1
HUNTER MAHAN 50/1
LEE WESTWOOD 50/1
LUKE DONALD 50/1
MIKE WEIR 60/1
JUSTIN ROSE 60/1
IAN POULTER 60/1
ZACH JOHNSON 60/1
TIM CLARK 60/1
ROCCO MEDIATE 75/1

[Red Dog]

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[TheDude]

Watching the online stream so far.

I wish they would pick two "featured groups" so there are fewer shots of guys walking, although the additional facts/details they're throwing out during the downtime is pretty cool.

[Red Dog]

Judging by the scoring so far, looks like a pretty typical US Open.

[Red Dog]

Heavy rains....suspended play.

[RoyalTea]

they actually expect to play later today?

[TheDude]

Nope, play is cancelled for the remainder of today. They pick back up at 7:30 tomorrow.

[classicman2]

They may be able to finish this tournament about July 4th.

The extended weather is not very promising.

But what does NOAA know? ;)

[RoyalTea]

this is f'n ridiculous:

http://golf.fanhouse.com/2009/06/18/bad-news-for-spectators-if-you-had-thursday-us-open-tickets/

Inclement Weather Ticket Policy

1. If play has commenced (i.e., if one player has played his first shot), it is the policy of the USGA that tickets will not be refunded or exchanged for a later date.
2. If play has not commenced at any time during the day for which the ticket was issued, ticket holders may use their ticket from the cancelled round for admission to the 2009 U.S. Open Championship on a later date.

If you bought tickets for today's game, you don't get your money back and you can't exchange it for Fri/Sat/Sun.

[classicman2]

If you bought tickets for today's game, you don't get your money back and you can't exchange it for Fri/Sat/Sun.

That's why I bought a package - 4 rounds & 2 practice rounds.

[Red Dog]

A lot of people buy packages as a group and split up rounds among the group. At least if it's local - I know some people who did that last time it was at Congressional.

[Red Dog]

I was going to bet on Grahme McDowell but he wasn't offered individually.

[RoyalTea]

When will the USGA start printing and selling Monday tickets?

[Red Dog]

Tiger back to E, tied for 4th.

[Red Dog]

Looks like a terrible 14th hole for Tiger.

[RoyalTea]

Looks like a terrible 14th hole for Tiger.I fucking hate that they have to interrupt sportscenter to show him missing a two foot putt.

[Red Dog]

I fucking hate that they have to interrupt sportscenter to show him missing a two foot putt.

:lol:

Aren't they carrying this live?

[RoyalTea]

USGA backpedals: Thursday tickets can be used on Monday.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/usopen/ny-sptix0620,0,5093495.story

[RoyalTea]

:lol:

Aren't they carrying this live?
US Open on ESPN
SportsCenter on espn2 - breaking news cut in when Tiger gets worse than par on a hole.

I'm surprised ESPN doesn't set up coverage so they have all Tiger on one network (followed by all Phil when tiger's done) and everybody else on another network.

[Red Dog]

I'm surprised ESPN doesn't set up coverage so they have all Tiger on one network (followed by all Phil when tiger's done) and everybody else on another network.

I'm sure they show every shot of Tiger. I assume that one of the DirecTV US Open channels is the Tiger-group channel.

[Red Dog]

I was going to bet on Grahme McDowell but he wasn't offered individually.

And it looks like I chose poorly on my other bets.

[dick_grayson]

so, will Tiger be starting his second round today or are things pushed back a day?

[Red Dog]

Judging by the scores, looks like the course is playing easier than yesterday and this morning. Got a number of guys at -2 in their front-9.

[Matthew Ackerly]

PHIL!

On a roll...


Sucks to have started your 1st round yesterday. Those guys really got shafted.

[RoyalTea]

Mike Weir is on fire today. can he shoot a 62?

[Matthew Ackerly]

Weir just doubled, back to 4 under.

[classicman2]

He finished with 6 under par - 64.

[classicman2]

It's good see David Duval playing well.

A few years ago I thought he was going to be the best player in the game. I'd never seen a better ball striker.

Something happened.

[RoyalTea]

Can the USGA or PGA Tour ban spectators who yell "get in the hole!"

[starman9000]

So, do they have to wait for all of the R2 guys to finish so they can set up the pairings properly?

[TheDude]

Yup. Just heard them talking to David Fey (Fay?), and they're not even sure yet if they're going to go off in twos or threes for the third round yet.

[redcat]

This has been really disappointing to me so far. It feels like there are two different tournaments going on, with an unbelievable advantage to the people who didn't play on Thursday. I realize conditions often change sharply even on the same day from those in the morning to those in the afternoon, but this just feels out of whack. On top of that, it obviously doesn't have the normal difficulty of a U.S. Open due to the soggy greens.

[RoyalTea]

looks like this tournament could extend until Tuesday:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/2009-06-21-usopen-update_N.htm?csp=34

as an aside, did anybody else find this line wierd: The public course and surrounding area received another 8/10 of an inch of rain Saturday night and Sunday morning

First of all, who measures rain in tenths of an inch? I thought it was fourths, eighths, or sixteenths. Second, if you are going to use tenths of an inch, why not say that four fifths of rain fell?

[Quack]

It was great watching Phil play today, loving seeing everyone behind him. Duval played a nice round as well.

[redcat]

It was great watching Phil play today, loving seeing everyone behind him. Duval played a nice round as well.

Yeah, I'd love to see either of those two win it. Meanwhile, I'd like technical difficulties to knock out the sound of the entire NBC broadcast crew. I've never been more annoyed by a commentary crew than these idiots the last two days. I guess I'll have to settle for the mute button.

[Red Dog]

This has been really disappointing to me so far. It feels like there are two different tournaments going on, with an unbelievable advantage to the people who didn't play on Thursday. I realize conditions often change sharply even on the same day from those in the morning to those in the afternoon, but this just feels out of whack.


I had the same thought.

[Autotelik]

Very nice to see Duval back on the front page of the leaderboard. Hope he gets some consistent results from here, and we get to see him around more often.

[Red Dog]

The leaders are moving back and making this more than a 2-horse race. Mahan has picked up 3 shots in the first 6 holes.

[classicman2]

Duval seems have put on a few pounds since his heyday.

He needs to shed a few. ;)

[Quake1028]

Trevor Murphy was even par after 36 holes and currently sits at +16 -eek-.

[Red Dog]

There are only 2 people in the top-10 in red figures today. Hell, if Tiger can throw a couple birdies up in the last few holes, he's actually got a chance with the way the leaders are backing up.

[TheDude]

:drool:

This has the potential to be a fantastic trainwreck of a back nine.

[Quake1028]

There are only 2 people in the top-10 in red figures today. Hell, if Tiger can throw a couple birdies up in the last few holes, he's actually got a chance with the way the leaders are backing up.

A friend and I at work were just discussing that. If Tiger can somehow post -2 or -3 in the clubhouse....uh oh.

[Quake1028]

I'm at work so I can't watch, but is this more a case of the leaders choking or the course finally playing up to US Open toughness?

[TheDude]

A friend and I at work were just discussing that. If Tiger can somehow post -2 or -3 in the clubhouse....uh oh.


I know people get irritated with the announcers always saying 'if Tiger can just birdie here, he's back in the hunt', but it seems to always be true (especially in the US Open with the way these guys crap themselves).

He just plugs along and picks his spots while everyone else just seems to fall apart.

By the way, GO Duval!

[Red Dog]

Tiger had it going: 2 straight birds on 13 and 14 to get to -1, but just gave one back at 15. He's probably going to lose by a stroke or 2....those last 3 holes on Thursday (as well playing his 1st Thursday instead of Friday) are going to be what does him in.

[rabbit77]

It's too bad Tiger bogeyed 15. He can still finish 1 or 2 under and get a realistic shot at a playoff. Amazing.

[Red Dog]

I'm at work so I can't watch, but is this more a case of the leaders choking or the course finally playing up to US Open toughness?

Judging by the scores....looks like both. Everyone ahead of Tiger is over par today, but those 2 are well over par. Only 5 players under par this round.

[Quake1028]

Tiger has played the 15th hole +4 this week. All other holes -4.

[twikoff]

very nice approach on 17

damn.. i had forgotten all about espn360.. watching the coverage now at work :D

[twikoff]

Tiger has played the 15th hole +4 this week. All other holes -4.

nice.. the 15th is the difference between barely showing on the leaderboard, and being tied for first

[TheDude]

Is Tiger the only guy from the "rain group" (that early Thursday bunch) to be in contention right now?

[Red Dog]

Is Tiger the only guy from the "rain group" (that early Thursday bunch) to be in contention right now?

Yes. Stenson (already finished at +1) is the next closest player from that group. Bubba Watson went out Thursday but I don't think he got many holes in before suspension.

[twikoff]

tiger finishes at even par.. that round 1 was a killer it seems

phil is going to make this interesting though

[Quake1028]

Phil is going to win this thing. That would be awesome.

[twikoff]

wow.. that was a terrible putt by mahan.. could have gone to -3

[twikoff]

phil hits the 4-5ft eagle putt, and is now tied for the lead at -4

[Red Dog]

phil is going to make this interesting though

I want to see Phil on 18 with a one-shot lead. ;)

[Red Dog]

Good. This should time well with lunch.

[twikoff]

and barnes continues to self destruct

[Red Dog]

and barnes continues to self destruct

Wow. He's +10 since the 6th hole yesterday.

[TheDude]

Yup, they've basically quit showing him on coverage (other than the occasional bogey putt).

[redcat]

So will they have the 18-hole playoff today if necessary or just wait until tomorrow?

[TheDude]

This afternoon. USGA feels like there will be plenty of daylight once the round is over.

[Red Dog]

Phil gives one back. Glover is holding steady for now with 4 straight pars.

Time to go to lunch so I can watch the end.

[twikoff]

fisher slipping down.. duval with a nice putt to get back into semi contention

[Quake1028]

Duval to -2.

[TheDude]

Terrible break for Mahan.

[Quake1028]

Glover gives back another.

[TheDude]

Duval tied for the lead! 3 way playoff?

[Quake1028]

Duval to -3!

[Quake1028]

Phil -ohbfrank-.

[Quake1028]

Glover with a huge birdie.

[TheDude]

Oh, David...

[Quake1028]

Congrats to Glover. Played the back 9 +1 to win this thing.

[Quake1028]

Tiger the only player to shoot under par for both weekend rounds.

[Red Dog]

I was pulling for Duval. Can't believe that putt on 17 didn't go down.

Solid play for Glover down the stretch.

[Jeremy517]

There is something wrong about being able to hit a six iron off the tee on the last hole of the US Open.

[Red Dog]

There is something wrong about being able to hit a six iron off the tee on the last hole of the US Open.

I wasn't crazy about that as a final hole. I don't think I saw anyone in the final groups do anything but par it. It's short with few threats. But then that 4th Rd pin location made birdie virtually impossible. Very boring.

[El Scorcho]

There is something wrong about being able to hit a six iron off the tee on the last hole of the US Open.

agreed, so anti-climactic