U.S. Open Ramblings

It's been four days since I left the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Needless to say, it was a grand and memorable experience. Back to the real world now. I'm still relatively exhausted, a little sun and windburned and still in awe of the experience. I've been collecting my thoughts on the storied venue and the tournament itself and I thought I would share the stream-of-consciousness ramblings of a first time attendee:

• Tom Watson - Television doesn't do the man justice. Not only does he crush the ball at 60 years old giving hope to those that still haven't found their game, but he does so with unparalleled grace. As Red said of Andy Dufresne in Shawshank, Tom "strolls the course like a man in a park without a care or a worry in the world." I found so much comfort in watching him play the game. Didn't expect that. And on Father's Day, with his son, Michael, on the bag, it was a real treat.


• The GolfWorld Is Flat - Flatter now more than ever. We've known for quite some time that major fields traditionally carry an international flavor, but have the foreigners ever been so prevalent on the leaderboards as they are now? Of the 26 events in the U.S. this year, 12 were won by foreign players. I even spoke French with some spectators on Saturday (I never thought to ask if they were with Havret groupies or not) It will be interesting to see how the flattening shapes future developments of the tour(s) and the industry as a whole. I strongly believe we're headed for a Global Tour at some point.
  
• Russell Henley and Scott Langley - Had Justin Leonard not birdied the 72nd hole, the co-low amateurs would have been exempt from next year's open. Bummer. Maybe the low amateur(s) should auto-qualify for the following year's open? How could that be a bad thing? Both were favorites of the galleries and unlike Sergio Garcia, who continuously whining his way around the golf course, it's refreshing to see these young guys bask in the beauty of the tournament and it's setting. Like Watson, they were a joy to watch.


• Pebble Beach - Aside from trying to score well on the open setup, if there ever was a place where a golfer could be at peace with themselves and God, Pebble is the place. The Cliffs of Doom are downright heavenly if you don't have to hit golf balls around them. Standing between the 9th fairway and the 10th tee was my favorite place all week. In the sun, close to the ocean and allowing you to watch approach shots on nine and tee shots on 10. Not crowded either. More on the crowds in a second.



17th hole - When standing by the green, it was simply a beautiful hole with a storied past. It didn't look that long either. Nicklaus needed a 1-iron here? Really? It's down-hill. Harmless really, especially when the pin is front right (as it was on Saturday). Then I walked back to the tees and lost any romantic feeling for this hole I previously had. The green was somewhere down there, but all I could see was sand traps, rough and ocean. Couple the wind and a back-left pin placement, and it's no wonder why it got so much criticism. But it's the U.S. Open, fellas. Quit complaining. The USGA gave you the shortest hole ever at a U.S. Open in 7 and a driveable par 4. And Ryan Moore? Ryan, we get it. You'd be more comfortable if the USGA had a Wyndam Championship setup, so you could fire a -16? (like he did in his only PGA Tour victory).


Tiger's almost there. His charge on Saturday was incredible. He's definitely got the look and the swagger back. Anyone who witnessed his 2nd shot on 18 on Saturday knows that. It's only a matter of time for his game to get back to form. And the crowds loved him more than ever. Go figure.


Ernie - As much as we tend to feel sorry for him, he does bring this on himself. I think he needs an on-course additude adjustment at these majors. Maybe put some vodka in that water bottle of his? He mopes around the course like he's Ior making bogeys, missing putts and feeling sorry for himself. Listen, if you're not happy, you're not relaxed, right? And if you're not somewhat relaxed, how are you going to make big putts in a major? He wasn't this tense when he was winning majors. The miss on 15 said it all. It's clearly all 'between the ears' for the South African and he's running out of time.

Dustin Johnson - Until Sunday, he was living proof of how certain players can feel so comfortable on certain courses. Regardless of the changes since February, he was dominating Pebble once again. But as great as his 66 was on Saturday, I think the young gun would've been in better position if he was two back of the lead and NOT in the last group... on Sunday with a 3 shot lead...in the U.S. Open... The pressure of the major and the marquee names coming after him proved to be too much. It was a shame, but no one's counting this kid out any time soon.

Graeme McDowell - Like last year, this year's U.S. Open proved to be a Darwinian test of survival. McDowell was clearly the fittest and he survived the onslaught of the world's best players in some of the most pressing conditions. Congrats to Graeme. My wife saw him on Leno and thinks he's hot.....so do I. Golfer? check. Accent? check. Loves beer? Check. Style and class? check. What's not to like?




Finally, Size Matters - It sucks being short at the U.S. Open. My 5-foot 7 stature can battle the crowds of a St. Jude Classic or even a FedEx Cup Playoff event, but to brave the Tiger-roaring crowds on Saturday and Sunday at major? Never has my vertical limit been so challenged. When Tiger pummeled his 2nd shot on 18 on Saturday, I had to balance myself on an elevated plank that supported a hospitality tent to even catch a glimpse. As always, there are options to accommodate . American Express was again giving out the "Champtionship Vision" TV's, the hand-held, portable devices that show live video coverage of the marquee groups. They also had the ear pieces streaming the action on ESPN Radio. The radio device makes sense in order to keep up with the leader board, but if you're going to watch it on TV, why even come to the course ? Then there are the golf periscopes and as much as I want to ridicule these submarine captains (above), they're practical as hell. Yes, I could weasel my way through the crowd in some instances, but in the future, when the galleries are as testing as the rough, I'll embrace my inner Captain Nemo and get my hands on one of these puppies. The Mickelson Group, out of San Diego, CA, has them at decent prices.