Wow... so many highlights from today's U.S. OPEN Championship, where do I begin?
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I had a Player Guest ID which gave me access to the clubhouse. For
anyone who enjoys golf... this was about as good as it gets. I was
constantly within several feet of the players -- Sergio, Furyk, Tiger,
Phil, Bubba, K.J., Dustin, Rory, Westwood... you name it.
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Standing greenside of #3, I noticed a ball roll to my feet from #2. It
was Jason Day who sailed it WIDE LEFT and down the hill. The ball
settled in a pile of cables right next to me. Needless to say, I watch
the rules committee officiate the moving of the cables and Jason BLAST
it back into play with a wicked shot between the trees!
- Aaron
Rodgers sat at my lunch table. I thought about asking... "hey... aren't
you that guy in those car insurance ads?" but then -thankfully - he
asked me who was teeing-off on #8. This led to a more sensible
conversation about how the course was playing.
- Overlooking #8, I stood about 10' feet from Tiger's mother as
well as Condoleezza Rice whilst watching Tiger/Phil/Watson. There were
several police present... so there was absolutely no chit-chat with
Condi.
- The views from the top of the #18 grandstands are spectacular. If only I had my camera (a common theme today).
- I was at the tee box on #3 when Sergio smacked his club into the microphone out of frustration. Oh Sergio...
-
Speaking of disappointment... Bubba & Rory. They walked around the
course like it was that forced visit to your in-laws 2nd cousin's daughter's bridal shower. On the B9, Bubba barely scanned the greens to line-up his putt. He just talked to his caddy
and then putt after a few quick glances. On the flip side, he never did shy away from entertaining the crowds with that pink driver... and missing the cut as he did.
- Watching #8, we didn't set the fairways right for Olympic. if you come up short here, the ball will trickle down and quickly roll all the way to the bottom. Just ask Ian Poulter what it's like. He was green-side but short one minute... then 50-yards down a hill the next. I want to fix this after our Virtual Open.
- Classic crowd moment. #6 was backed up and Furyk had to wait
before teeing off. At one point he let out a big bear yawn and about 6
people simultaneously yell out -- "need energy... 5-hour energy!" (WATCH THIS if you don't get the humor)
- I walked the entire F9 with Tiger/Phil/Bubba and then #14-#18. A few notes on this:
-
I was right next to the starter's box on #1 when these guys teed-off. Amazing to see their attitudes before the round -- confident, friendly and upbeat.
- Tiger's tee shot on #3 was insane.
- The camera entourage following these guys is also insane.
- #6 - Tiger hits an iron. Phil a hybrid. Bubba his pink driver. Just saying...
- So Tiger's approach on #17 was amazing to see in person. The
combo of watching the ball go long and trickle over the back right...
and down the hill... while seeing Tiger react down the fairway...
priceless. I couldn't see his facial expressions, but his body language
told the entire story.
- When Phil sailed his approach up on #18, it was the loudest roar
of the day. Tiger "might" win this thing, but Phil definitely wins the
crowd. Not too mention, I think all 35,000 people surrounded this hole at the end.
- Standing directly behind Tom Rinaldi in this clip (CLICK HERE)... is yours truly. I just happened to be standing in the right place at the right time.
- It's no surprise that Furyk and Tiger are co-leaders w/ Toms. Here it's about pure execution vs. high drama. Clinical vs. fireworks. That said... I have no idea who will take it. Tiger certainly could... but it only takes one bad hole to drop 2-3 strokes. Anyone's game still.
- Final note... for Sunday, I'm hoping to get a media badge so I can live blog / tweet / upload pics for all our WGT players. You'll see what I see... as it happens! Cross our fingers!
Ok... I'm spent. Enjoy MOVING DAY tomorrow!
Cheers!
- MisterWGT / CN