It's that time of year again...

[CarlSpackler]

Well said.

Phil had a much better round than I expected yesterday, so hopefully he makes me eat my words. Clearly not the best of the day given the double, but still a good round on a difficult course.

I still gotta go with Tiger for the open. Those kids are hungry and need diapers, so I'm sure he needs the $$$.

[PEZGolf]

Right now, it is time to "turn the spotlight" on the gals since they are holding a Major at Bulle Rock. Nicole Castrale, a beauty is leading, and our local star, Moira Dunn, is only 3 shots back. Natalie---72.

Michelle Wie did decently, with a 70, but some of the big stars stumbled out of the gate:

Suzann Pettersen, Morgan Pressel, and Paula Creamer all had 74's!!

This is a Pete Dye course, and it can be brutal, but, hey, that is what a Major is all about.

[mcfc_nick]

Right now, it is time to "turn the spotlight" on the gals since they are holding a Major at Bulle Rock. Nicole Castrale, a beauty is leading, and our local star, Moira Dunn, is only 3 shots back. Natalie---72.

mate, look at the thread again! is this a thread about the lpga? hmnnn, no so why not start or use a thread about what you wanna talk about!

[PEZGolf]

I'd like to see Dustin Johnson or Bubba Watson make a run for it. Johnson is really fun to watch, he can hit it a mile

They are fun to watch, but have no chance to win the US Open. When the USGA sets up a course for our "National Championship", the goal is to make par a great score. The Champion has to have such discipline, course management skills, complete game, especially around the greens, and accuracy that most golfers have no chance to win. To me, it is incredible that a "go for it" guy like Phil can do well in the tournment, but look at his short game. Dustin and Bubba are not in the same class with Phil in terms of their short games. Some people find the US Open to be boring because the course can be so penal and the birdies so few. I find it to be a great Championship where all the players are severely tested on each and every hole. "Fans" who want to see a birdie feast and the long ball smashers do well are advised to watch other tournaments. "This one is not for you".

[pusher]

It's going to be cool with showers on Long Island this weekend. It may play long and soft. Who plays well in dicey conditions? I'm no good at predictions but I like Tiger, Furyk and Harrington. My dark horse picks: Ben Crane, Kenny Perry and Steve Stricker.

[Thrash13]

Guys like Kenny Perry and Steve Stricker are hardly dark horses. They are ranked 7th and 8th in the world, respectively. Ben Crane is a nice dark-horse pick though.

And how about Brian Gay? The guy just keeps playing well in 2009. It might be tough for him to keep the high of winning twice in the last few months, but his game sets up ok for a U.S. Open.

[Fore Right!]

Watch the 7:55 tee time of Ian Poulter, Justin Leonard and Robert Allenby. There are 3 dark horses that have not been mentioned. Maybe for good reason but I think one of these 3 will be up there on the weekend.

[Golferblogger]

I love Tiger. O'Hair is due. And I'm watching Stenson and Cabrera in the first round or two. Remember it will be wet as a shaggy dog out there, which means long and strong. Could be a big surprise come Sunday.