110th U.S. Open running thread

[MileHigh]

Starts Thursday, at probably the best location for the national championship. And in prime time for the East Coast papers, if it gets in at all. 11 p.m. EDT ending on Saturday, just like two years ago at perhaps the best Open of all time, Torrey Pines.

Phil is close to home and probably will contend and somehow find a way to blow it. Tiger is out of his game. Otherwise, wide open on a great track.

Probably no rain delays, but perhaps for fog like in 2000. Predictions?

 

[Cosmo]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

I will be covering the '11 Open at Congressional. I can't freaking wait.

 

[Football_Bat]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

I covered the 2001 Open at Southern Hills. That was the one Goosen led wire to wire and snapped Tiger's Slam.

If Woods is going to snap out of it, Pebble's the place to do it.

 

[MileHigh]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Only been to one open: 1998 at Olympic. It's a great experience. Glad it's going back there in 2012.

 

[smsu_scribe]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Cannot wait. Pretty much every Open held at Pebble Beach has catered to the stars and produced some memorable performances. Watson's chip-in. Jack's 1-iron. Tiger winning by 15.

I don't think Mickelson has ever been more of a favorite going into a major than he is going into this one. And I've gotta think the U.S. Open is the major Phil wants the most these days.

 

[Small Town Guy]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

I think it's pretty comparable to '06 as far as Mickelson being a pretty heavy favorite. Remember, before that one, he'd one two straight majors and was generally considered the best player in the world, as Tiger struggled after his dad's death. Very similar to this year as far as their respective games. Mickelson won the Masters that year as Tiger couldn't quite match his firepower. And it really looked like Mickelson was the best right up to No. 18 on Sunday of that Open. Then that disaster and Tiger won the final two majors of the year and Mickelson didn't win again until this year.

 

[smsu_scribe]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

I think it's pretty comparable to '06 as far as Mickelson being a pretty heavy favorite. Remember, before that one, he'd one two straight majors and was generally considered the best player in the world, as Tiger struggled after his dad's death. Very similar to this year as far as their respective games. Mickelson won the Masters that year as Tiger couldn't quite match his firepower. And it really looked like Mickelson was the best right up to No. 18 on Sunday of that Open. Then that disaster and Tiger won the final two majors of the year and Mickelson didn't win again until this year.

Good point. I always forget that Mickelson was THAT close to winning his third straight.

 

[MileHigh]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Johnny Miller live on NBC, in one of the greatest, at-the-moment quotes in sports TV history: "You don't have to run down the last stretch on a white stallion, you know, you could limp in there and say, 'Thanks for the trophy.'"

 

[Mark2010]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Great course. So many great memories from past tournaments.

Am tempted to pick Lee Westwood, but it's been 40 years since a European won the US Open. Adam Scott, who won last month in Texas, is my darkhorse.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Pebble Beach is one of the rare experiences on earth where the hype doesn't live up to the reality.

 

[CR19]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Pebble Beach and the U.S. Open are a great pair. When can a player worry about slicing his ball into the Pacific Ocean? There have been so many great moments from the past Opens held there. The weather looks great for golf, with the sun blazing and temps in the low 60's. Can't wait to watch it on TV, and I'm sure the guys covering it appreciate the decent weather.

 

[Mark2010]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Wind is always a factor at Pebble Beach and can change on short notice.

 

[trifectarich]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

I've been fortunate enough to play PB three times, but never with my own money. For what it costs to play Pebble, I can get two rounds at Spyglass, where the first five holes are as enjoyable as anywhere on the planet.

 

[JackReacher]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

What are the prices to play at Pebble Beach and Spyglass?

 

[trifectarich]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

I think Pebble is now around $525 if you're a resort guest.

 

[JackReacher]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Jesus. I remember not too long ago hearing it was only $300 to play there.

 

[Moderator1]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Only?

 

[JackReacher]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Only?

Yes, only. Hell, at $300, you're ONLY paying triple what you'd pay at some ****ty course around here.

$525? Maybe not. But $300? Absolutely worth it.

 

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

Jesus. I remember not too long ago hearing it was only $300 to play there.

I think Pebble-Spyglass is the most expensive public course in the country... $500-$600 bucks. Golf Digest or somebody has a list ...

 

[JackReacher]

Re: 110th U.S. Open open running thread

I'd pay $500-600 to play there. Once.