On Location at the 2005 U.S. Open – Saturday’s Third Round

One advantage of getting swallowed in the crowds following Tiger Woods: you don’t have to listen to Johnny Miller.

PinehurstThis report comes to us from Pinehurst #2 courtesty of Dave Koster, scratch golfer, North Carolina resident, and friend of The Sand Trap.

Moving day. The day where players try and set themselves apart from the rest of the field. As most of you saw on TV, not many players wanted to do that. This was a day that the players just wanted to get through 18 and hide in the clubhouse. Word of the day: survive.

What I Saw
We got to the course around 8:45 after the first groups were well onto the course. Our plan was to make our way back to #3 and #5 and sit at one of the grandstands that looked over both of the greens. As we made our way back there, we saw people sitting in grandstands on #15… not a good sign for us if people are already staking their claim on holes that players were three hours from playing.

First, the answer to your question is yes. The grandstands were quite full and the best standing spots around the greens were already taken. Our next option was to go back to a spot I found on Thursday behind #5 tee. We stood there and watched about 10 groups come down #4 and tee off on #5. I was amazed that there were not more people there.

Not a single player in the groups we saw come down #4 made more than a par. Truly, this is the one hole on the course that bogey gives more than one shot back to the field. As much fun as it is to watch some of the great players make birdies there were some humbling moments as well. We witnessed a duck-hook off of the tee on #5. Yes, that’s right, a duck-hook. I was so shocked, I didn’t get the name of the player. As much as I hate to see someone do that, I’ll have to admit that it was a bit of a pick-me-up.

After the Love-Monty pairing came through, we flowed along with the sea of people. It was time for lunch and a refreshing Nathan’s hot dog. I was disappointed because it wasn’t stale and it was rather hot. After licking the crumbs from my face, we marched on to find a spot to watch the rest of the parings move through.

We managed to get a good spot on the bleachers behind #2. It was there that we remained until Tiger came through. From where we were, we could look all the way down to the fairway on #1. It was cool to watch the crowds gather through the afternoon up until TW teed off. I’m sure some of you have experienced this before, but it was unbelievable as his masses moved towards us. They were at least 10 deep on each side of the fairway. After he took the crowds with him we made our way out. The only sign of life on the backside was Phil and John’s (Daly) following and a bunch walking with Jacobsen as he was -3 at the time.

Next report: None. I’m done – that is unless there is a playoff. If there is, I may be making one more trip. It was a great time and a wonderful experience. Seeing the tournament on TV does not do the course justice and the greens are something to behold. The “inverted saucer” term is true, but imagine if the saucer was soft and you pushed a few ripples into it with your fingers. That is what you have at No. 2.

As a side note, going in person is worth it just not to listen to Johnny “It’s All About Me” Miller. I only saw the last couple hours of the telecast and if Johnny “This Is An Easy 40-Footer” Miller would make comments like that while I played, I’d heave my putter up towards his little green tower. Everything looks easy from there Johnny. Just shut up.

As a second side note, I never thought I’d root for a Gore, but I am now. My bet isn’t on him, but my vote is.

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