2008 US Open Thread (TP South)

[RX Phoenix]

Remember the 84 Romo carded . . . well Chris Stroud, a PGA Tour player came in at 84, and a few non-tour qualifiers were over that number, so Romo's score is very respectable.

The course is playing tough, a lot of guys shot themselves almost out of it, very surprising to see some no-names leading, and a lot of relative unknown US players up near the top, a rough day for a lot of stars.

If that is a normal FT fairway metal Phil is playing I'm happy because I have one arriving any day now .

[teal]

My favorite shot I got to see was Phil's. The ball went all of 3 or 4 feet in the rough. Not because I dis-like Phil but because now I know some dude making millions hits the same shots I do!

I think it is too early to say any one person really is the favorite to win now but I was struck at just the shots so many guys were making. Tiger was putting out of his gourd for pars so often and he did seem to miss left when he did. The talking heads said that was to be expected with a bum left knee. I wonder what it will be like after another 36 holes. I would guess though that he has a batallion of therapists and doctors at his disposal though.

[Thrash13]

It was a good day of golf coverage for sure. Tiger got about as much out of his round as possible. He made a few good par saves that kept the score from getting out of hand. Phil also made a good comeback, and Adam Scott definitely isn't out of the picture. It's clear Tiger and Phil overshadow the young gun though. It would be nice to see him card somethign low tomorrow to steal their thunder. Also, I thought Sergio really hung in there. He isn't in contention by any means, but he can definitely make the cut and end up in the top 15 or 20 with a couple solid rounds. He could have easily shot an 80 or worse, but he kept things together over the last 11 holes or so.

My pick (Geoff Ogilvy) is in great position, and his game looks to be in solid shape heading into the second round. All in all, it was good watching today, and I'm ready to devote another three days of my life to this tournament.

[iacas]

Football players come back after a few weeks and do a lot more with their knees. Tiger's WALKING and still wincing? Yeah, I get that he swings a club at 120 MPH a 35 times or so, but c'mon...

I dunno, man. Something much bigger than he's letting on is wrong with his knee. Or it's all an act - but I don't think that's how Tiger would play it.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Football players come back after a few weeks and do a lot more with their knees. Tiger's WALKING and still wincing? Yeah, I get that he swings a club at 120 MPH a 35 times or so, but c'mon...

I doubt it's an act, he may perhaps build it up after a bad shot but I have no doubt he's hurting a bit. So I'm guessing something is up with it. Not good for him that it is bothering him this much (or so it appears) on Thursday. Can't imagine it getting

better while playing more golf the next three days. Depends what kind of football player you're talking about. I wouldn't count those lineman... they're freaks who play with broken legs Football players wrap it, brace it and no doubt take a little something to ease the pain. That's it... I have solved Tiger's problem. Cortisone shot!

[iacas]

I doubt it's an act, he may perhaps build it up after a bad shot but I have no doubt he's hurting a bit.

His biggest wince was after a great drive on 18. Wasn't a bad shot at all.

Tiger knows how to play to the media. Imagine the credit he'll get if he wins a U.S. Open and goes around acting gimpy all week? Hogan survived a bus crash, but in today's over-hyped, over-everything world, Tiger will be elevated yet again. All I'm saying is, if he's acting, it'd be a wise move. And if he's NOT acting, then his knee must SERIOUSLY be screwed up.

That's it... I have solved Tiger's problem. Cortisone shot!

Football players have careers that last about five years. Golfers, not so much. I know you were joking, but I've seen people suggesting this seriously, too. Tiger won't take a shot because I think he'd want to know if he was doing something to more seriously screw things up.

Cortisone shots are like unplugging the oil light when it comes on. Sure, the annoying oil light goes away, but you're just running your engine into the ground. I know some people with mild arthritis who feel the same way: they want to feel the pain so they can not do the things that cause pain. Pain means more damage. Numbing the pain would let them do more damage to themselves unknowingly.

[MunkeyGolfer]

Cortisone shots are like unplugging the oil light when it comes on. Sure, the annoying oil light goes away, but you're just running your engine into the ground.

So seriously, should I plug my oil light back in?

With all joking aside, Tiger did look like he was in some nasty pain. I wonder if he was twisting it too much. Any way, I did enjoy seeing Phil's shot that went 4 feet. It kind of brings the professionals down a notch in my eyes.

[iacas]

So seriously, should I plug my oil light back in?

I liked Brandel's analysis. Tiger's left foot has always jumped up and back because he doesn't get his hips quite as far forward as other players.

I don't know that it will ease the strain on Tiger's left knee (common sense would tell me that it has to, at least a little), and I don't know if it'll be good or bad for Tiger's ballstriking, but it seems to me a theory worth looking into by Tiger and Hank.

[vjr13]

The one phrase I'm already tired of in this US Open...."Marine Layer"

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!!!

[JaY_B]

It doesn't have to be a serious injury too warrent it hurting during a golf swing!, I have done something to my wrist that is quite minor, but still hurts when I swing, and has done for a few weeks now, When you have an operation on your knee a couple of weeks before hitting 330 yard drives you tell me it doesn't hurt you.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

His biggest wince was after a great drive on 18. Wasn't a bad shot at all.

That's true. I guess I just meant I noticed more of a limp on the back nine when he was struggling a bit. He seemed fine on the front.

All I'm saying is, if he's acting, it'd be a wise move. And if he's NOT acting, then his knee must SERIOUSLY be screwed up.

I agree with this. I'm not sure about it being seriously screwed up, could be general post surgery soreness but I agree here.

Football players have careers that last about five years. Golfers, not so much. I know you were joking, but I've seen people suggesting this seriously, too. Tiger won't take a shot because I think he'd want to know if he was doing something to more seriously screw things up.

Yeah, I was joking. I think it would be a really bad move for him to take one, for all the reasons you mention above. Now if he were maybe 42 and say one shy of Jack's record then I may rethink it. Only reason I said that is because we were discussing football players and their ability to play quickly after surgery. And yeah, 5-10 years down the road pay the price for it.

[golf_junkie27]

Thanks to Chris Berman, it took me 30 seconds to mute the volume on my TV. "Diet" Koch? Thankfully, I don't have to listen to understand what's going on.

[g-funk13]

Thanks to Chris Berman, it took me 30 seconds to mute the volume on my TV. "Diet" Koch? Thankfully, I don't have to listen to understand what's going on.

that was so horrible. bermans on crack

[Dent]

Was just watching the play of Justin Hicks and something really drives me nuts about him.

Before he shoots, no matter what shot, he does so many pre-shot waggles it drives me crazy, even when he's behind the ball lining it up, he still draws the club back. He must do it about 10 times before he shoots.

Hit the damn ball already!!

[shortstop20]

LOL, you noticed that too. I was like "WTF is he doing?"

Whatever relaxes you though I guess.

[iacas]

Appleby is from the southern hemisphere...

Aside from Tiger's eagle, I haven't seen much from him today. Ick.

Phil made some par putts like Tiger did yesterday.

And Adam Scott missing a one-foot putt on the 18th! Yowee! And even with that, it's still not the shortest miss I've ever seen made - Aaron Baddeley missed a six-inch putt at The Memorial one or two years ago.

[Ceej]

Did Tiger always waggle his right foot back like that in his pre-shot routines?

[iacas]

Did Tiger always waggle his right foot back like that in his pre-shot routines?

IIRC, he incorporates that into his pre-shot routine when he's got an alignment issue.