An ESPN ranking of the favourites for this week’s major. Corey Conners, as he should be in a major, the only Canadian among the top tier favourites. Scheffler and Dechambeau have to be the favourites miles ahead of anyone else. Bryson probably won’t be able to get away with missing tons of fairways this this year on this course,
Oakmont is perhaps the toughest course in the world. It is usually considered slightly tougher than Winged Foot and Carnoustie, two other top contendders. We’ll see how hard they set it up and how big a role the weather will play. DJ won the last US Open played here and it was also the site of Johnny Miller’s famous come from behind win with a 63 in the final round in 1973 while using Fred Flinstone era equipment. Past winners at Oakmont include Tommy Armour, the founder of Under Armour, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Larry Nelson and Ernie Els.
Also Arnold Palmer’s old stomping grounds and considered to be his home major course.
A 2.5 minute video by Bob Weeks and Graham DeLaet on why Oakmont is so tough including great shots of what a ball that goes into the rough looks like. You or I would likely not even be able to contact the back of the ball in the rough.
Dechambeau called it the toughest course in the world and Scheffler said it’s maybe the hardest course we will play- ever. Driving, always the most important part of the game, will be even more important on this beast. If you bunt it off the tee you will have to be almost perfect as everyone will end up in the rough and those that are 50 yards ahead will have a lot better chance. I think we will see that hitting it in to the rough will be virtually an automatic bogey at least.
Scheffler leads in almost every driving and tee to green stat and therefore his success and lately has moved his putting to around 20th from the usual 150th or so and with that combination he is almost unbeatable. If Scheffler could putt he would be really good! Bryson can drive as well as Scheffler in general and is a better putter, but his iron play has let him down of late even though he has finished 6th or better in 6 of the last 8 majors. Let’s face it, these guys are on another planet compared to the rest of the field (maybe Rahm) although one bad driving round can do anyone in. Rory hasn’t hit a fairway in 2 or 3 tournaments and if that continues he won’t break 80. This ain’t Augusta Dorothy.
Looking forward to watching the pros look like us for 4 days and seeing whether anyone can break par for the tournament in what is my second favourite tourny.
OAKMONT, Pennsylvania, June 11 (Reuters) - The United States Golf Association (USGA) said on Wednesday it has no plans to publish results or change protocols for driver testing after clubs belonging to two of the game’s biggest names failed conformance tests last month.
Driver testing made headlines at the PGA Championship last month after a report said the club belonging to Masters champion Rory McIlroy was ruled non-conforming.
McIlroy, who later confirmed the report and expressed his disappointment that test results were leaked, played with a backup driver all week.
World number one Scottie Scheffler, speaking after he won the PGA Championship, revealed he also used a backup driver that week after his original one failed a test.
Whan said the USGA conducts driver testing as a service to players, manufacturers and the tours and has no desire to see results made public.
Boo. Following the lead of the uber secretive PGA which still doesn’t publish discipline, which is the dumbest thing you can do if you are meting out discipline.
Just checking the scores on a quick break. Among the leaders just saw that Koepka eagled #4 and that Reed double eagled the same hole. Both are at -2 early.
Koepka, even though he’s been the best golfer on the planet the last 10 years has been sort of forgotten about as he hasn’t done anything in majors the last two years. It would be interesting if he was back and scaring the crap out of his competitors again. We’ll see.
The course being brutal on the field today with the projected cut line presently being +7. That could even rise.
Mcilroy at +6 after one with an opening double and Cantlay at the same number after 1. Both have work to do.
Pendrith still at +2 after 3 so looking ok so far with Taylor finishing +4 after a 71 today so he’s in. Hughes finished at +5 so he’s good as well.
Definitely out after completing 2 rounds are DJ (+10), Niemann (+10), Straka (+11) and Thomas (+12). Still early in their second round but in grave danger are Cam Smith (+8) J Rose (+9) and Lowry (+12).
Day two wasn’t much better. The cut number was +7.
There were helecoptereed clubs (Rory), Scheffler having a yelling match with his coach on the range, people attacking the course (physically, usually with golf clubs, Scheffler even joined in.) and the mystified, for either really good or bad results. And guys putting up big numbers everywhere.
Last years champion missed the cut. Not that he played poorly, he just caught the same bad bounces everyone else did. Watching skilled short game played taking 2, or 3 or even 5 shots to get within 20 feet was normal.
Highlights are the best way to watch the day. It was slow - like 3 holes in an hour slow. Finding balls was true magic at times as they disappeared as soon as they dropped into the primary rough, even greenside and a foot in.
Nick Taylor was the top Canadian. +4, tied 23rd and 7 shots off the lead. And as fast as guys came and went today - it could only take a couple holes for him to be in the lead.
Taylor can’t win - (none of the Canucks have the required game) but he could easily work his way into the Top 10 after all said 'n done. . . . . .with some extreme luck and avoidance of double boogers - Nick could steal a Top 5, which would be incredible for Canadian golf.
Conners looks like a star today but he usually musters up at least one great round, no matter where he’s playing. He’ll fall off the turnip truck, just like Hughes. Pendrith will give Taylor a run for Top Canadian.
Rory still on a massive bender after completing his Grand Slam. Now he’s using illegal clubs, to boot.
About 10 guys still have a chance to be champion, including Scheffler.
Top Canadian
Nick Taylor who is tied 11th @ +4
Is paired up with Scottie Scheffler for the final round
Tee Time 1:04 EST
…
Off to a great start
Nick birdies the 1st hole
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And then doubles the 2nd hole
Unfortunately the Canadians did poorly on the last day, with Pendrith in particular dive bombing from being on the fringe of contention. I wasn’t sure why Conners withdrew at first, but apparently he hurt his wrist and will miss some time.
Wyndham Clark III (just made up the Roman numerals but they sound like they belong there) being outed for a childish temper tantrum after missing the cut at the US Open by one shot. He also destroyed a sign at the PGA Championship. In my opinion he should have been punished appropriately for his actions, although hopefully Keegan Bradley will see how uncool he is under pressure and leave him off the Ryder Cup team.
I detest spoiled brat actions by athletes that show a lack of respect and arrogance.
Bryson can drive as well as Scheffler in general and is a better putter, but his iron play has let him down of late even though he has finished 6th or better in 6 of the last 8 majors. Let’s face it, these guys are on another planet compared to the rest of the field (maybe Rahm) although one bad driving round can do anyone in. Rory hasn’t hit a fairway in 2 or 3 tournaments and if that continues he won’t break 80. This ain’t Augusta Dorothy.
