Planet Rugby Forum

earl the beaver wrote:

Rumham wrote:Rickie -5 after 10. Playing smart, accurate golf and dissecting the course.

This course can easily be tamed unlike a lot of previous US Open efforts.

The course is still a beast and causing problems. If the wind picks up, as expected, I don't think we'll see these low scores this afternoon or over the weekend.

It's nothing todo with Fowler and everything to do with me not picking him. Shut this competition down. It's over.

am I too late?


-USA Dustin
-GB&I Rory
-Europe Rahm
-Africa Grace
-Aus/NZ Adam Scott
-RoW Matsayama
-Wildcard - Westwood

I'm watching Fowler on the http://www.usopen.com/scoring.html stream and he is in the zone. A decent look coming up to go -7.

The course looks like a British Open track. It's pretty wide open and the greens have been receptive with the rain. The course is playing relatively straight forward now.

Rumham wrote:I'm watching Fowler on the http://www.usopen.com/scoring.html stream and he is in the zone. A decent look coming up to go -7.

The course looks like a British Open track. It's pretty wide open and the greens have been receptive with the rain. The course is playing relatively straight forward now.

Sounds impressive by Fowler. Believe he started on the back nine - be interesting to see if the course hardens up, both in terms of the difficulty of the relative nines and the firmness of the turf. Rain may have saved the USGA from themselves - pros were muttering about 9 being borderline unplayable if the green got firm and the wind got up.

henry wrote:

Rumham wrote:I'm watching Fowler on the http://www.usopen.com/scoring.html stream and he is in the zone. A decent look coming up to go -7.

The course looks like a British Open track. It's pretty wide open and the greens have been receptive with the rain. The course is playing relatively straight forward now.

Sounds impressive by Fowler. Believe he started on the back nine - be interesting to see if the course hardens up, both in terms of the difficulty of the relative nines and the firmness of the turf. Rain may have saved the USGA from themselves - pros were muttering about 9 being borderline unplayable if the green got firm and the wind got up.

Now this was unplayable. I actually worked at that US Open washing dishes and bunked off on the Sunday to go watch the golf and sink free booze with our 'staff' pass. We were stationed behind this green for a few groups and it was laughable how hard it was. I hate to use the word literal but it almost was literally impossible to keep the ball on the green as it played like a rock hard upturned saucer.

http://www.espn.com/golf/usopen04/news/story?id=1825166

Walter Driver, chairman of the USGA Championship Committee, made the decision to water the greens after the first four players took three triple bogeys and a bogey at the seventh.

They did this with big hoses and and it ended up being a lot more greens than 7. The USGA are sadists so this course is a piece of piss compared some of the shockers they have turned out in the past. I also struggle to feel any sorrow for those pampered multimillionaires complaining their job is too hard this weekend.

Breeze getting up. Spieth a good 40 yards short with his approach to a par 5.

No one is shooting anywhere nea -7 this afternoon.

Edit: DJ even shorter, didn't reach the bunker.

Just the 311 yard carry from Mcilroy to set him up for eagle

saffer13 wrote:Come on ERNIE!

Great start until 17 and 18.

earl the beaver wrote:Just the 311 yard carry from Mcilroy to set him up for eagle

Going to probably drop the second shot here after trying more roy of the rovers stuff off the tee.

He needs a decent caddy to reign him in. There was no need to hit driver there.

Jason Day is hacking around like a 20 handicapper!!

Rumham wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:Just the 311 yard carry from Mcilroy to set him up for eagle

Going to probably drop the second shot here after trying more roy of the rovers stuff off the tee.

He needs a decent caddy to reign him in. There was no need to hit driver there.

Driver gives you a wedge into the green, he's already 6 shots off the lead and his driving is the best part of his game. I see no issue with using it, it's not like he's battling on Sunday at the minute.

earl the beaver wrote:

Rumham wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:Just the 311 yard carry from Mcilroy to set him up for eagle

Going to probably drop the second shot here after trying more roy of the rovers stuff off the tee.

He needs a decent caddy to reign him in. There was no need to hit driver there.

Driver gives you a wedge into the green, he's already 6 shots off the lead and his driving is the best part of his game. I see no issue with using it, it's not like he's battling on Sunday at the minute.

So how did that work out for him yesterday? Errant driving leads to a 78 and he is out of the tournament.

Fowler was hitting 3 wood where required, parring the difficult holes and surgically maneuvering around the course while McIlroy is blasting his way towards a battle to make the cut.

Saying he needed to attack as he was 6 shots off he lead on the opening 9 on Thursday is about the dumbest thing I've read related to golf on this bored. Maybe you should be his caddy, it seems like it wouldn't make much difference. You could be his mate just like JP and there goes another major down the drain.

My Charley Hoffman bet is vaguely alive but hats off to Casey I didn't think a late starter could put a score together like that!

Rumham wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:

Rumham wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:Just the 311 yard carry from Mcilroy to set him up for eagle

Going to probably drop the second shot here after trying more roy of the rovers stuff off the tee.

He needs a decent caddy to reign him in. There was no need to hit driver there.

Driver gives you a wedge into the green, he's already 6 shots off the lead and his driving is the best part of his game. I see no issue with using it, it's not like he's battling on Sunday at the minute.

So how did that work out for him yesterday? Errant driving leads to a 78 and he is out of the tournament.

Fowler was hitting 3 wood where required, parring the difficult holes and surgically maneuvering around the course while McIlroy is blasting his way towards a battle to make the cut.

Saying he needed to attack as he was 6 shots off he lead on the opening 9 on Thursday is about the dumbest thing I've read related to golf on this bored. Maybe you should be his caddy, it seems like it wouldn't make much difference. You could be his mate just like JP and there goes another major down the drain.

Fowler used Driver a lot too, it's the longest course in US history and McIlroy is statistically ones of the best drivers the game has seen, of course he's going to use it. Especially when the course looks set up to be the most receptive it will be all week.

It looks like he had an absolute mare on the back 9 but that doesn't change the initial tactics.

Rumham wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:

Rumham wrote:

earl the beaver wrote:Just the 311 yard carry from Mcilroy to set him up for eagle

Going to probably drop the second shot here after trying more roy of the rovers stuff off the tee.

He needs a decent caddy to reign him in. There was no need to hit driver there.

Driver gives you a wedge into the green, he's already 6 shots off the lead and his driving is the best part of his game. I see no issue with using it, it's not like he's battling on Sunday at the minute.

So how did that work out for him yesterday? Errant driving leads to a 78 and he is out of the tournament.

Fowler was hitting 3 wood where required, parring the difficult holes and surgically maneuvering around the course while McIlroy is blasting his way towards a battle to make the cut.

Saying he needed to attack as he was 6 shots off he lead on the opening 9 on Thursday is about the dumbest thing I've read related to golf on this bored. Maybe you should be his caddy, it seems like it wouldn't make much difference. You could be his mate just like JP and there goes another major down the drain.

He needs to ditch JP and learn how to putt.

Any time a person criticises JP for being too much of an arselicker his defenders counter by saying "you don't really know what they are saying to each other and where he is reining McIlroy in". Well I listened to a bit of their chatter yesterday and he is a fking weak yes-man who never challenges McIlroys decisions whereas McIlroy clearly needs a caddy who will tell his to catch himself on with his shot selection.

I think Rory wants his caddy to be his pal but its costing him.

And he has back back eagle chances and goes par bogie. Watching Rory can be so painful - every time he is standing over an important makeable putt you know he is going to miss

Casey dropped 5 shots over 4 holes including an ugly 8, parred the next and then birdied the next 5!

This course is not reallu that hard for a US Open track. It is a British Open course really where you need to play sensibly and keep it out of the bunkers ala Tiger.

MrJonno wrote:And he has back back eagle chances and goes par bogie. Watching Rory can be so painful - every time he is standing over an important makeable putt you know he is going to miss

Did he 4 putt the first? Shot tracker showed he was on in 2 and holed out for 6.

Missing the cut after saying the fairways were a piece of piss to hit is embarrassing. It'll be 3 years since his last major soon and he has barely contended either. I don't think he has been a factor on Sunday in his last 10 majors with this being his 3rd missed cut with one DNP. That is grim reading for a guy supposed to be the best in the world hunting major wins.

A caddy change would be a great place to start.

Eight tied for the lead


Terrible course - too many grass banks for seating

I see Rory's got into a pretty undignified Twitter spat with that wanker Steve Elkington. Not good.

Jesus, Justin Thomas can shoot low.

Don't know if he has the bottle though

earl the beaver wrote:Jesus, Justin Thomas can shoot low.

Don't know if he has the bottle though

I think he might do. Helluva golfer.

Utterly gripping tournament with about 20 people within 3 shots of the leader!!
The good news is someone has to go out and win it rather than hang on
Or others fall away. At least one of those 20 will shoot a low score.

That 310 yd 3 wood to the last was possibly the best shot I have ever seen, esp. when you realise he had driven 360 yds just to get a chance of making the shot

Openside wrote:Utterly gripping tournament with about 20 people within 3 shots of the leader!!
The good news is someone has to go out and win it rather than hang on
Or others fall away. At least one of those 20 will shoot a low score.

That 310 yd 3 wood to the last was possibly the best shot I have ever seen, esp. when you realise he had driven 360 yds just to get a chance of making the shot

3-wood, 3-wood to a 675 yard par five

Maybe they're right about those 8,000 yard courses..,

henry wrote:

Openside wrote:Utterly gripping tournament with about 20 people within 3 shots of the leader!!
The good news is someone has to go out and win it rather than hang on
Or others fall away. At least one of those 20 will shoot a low score.

That 310 yd 3 wood to the last was possibly the best shot I have ever seen, esp. when you realise he had driven 360 yds just to get a chance of making the shot

3-wood, 3-wood to a 675 yard par five

Maybe they're right about those 8,000 yard courses..,

Just madness

I love the trackman technology they are using.

That Fleetwood guy looks pretty handy and cool ( barring blip on 18)
I am glad he is playing with Koepka as they seemed to be getting on well.

Openside wrote:

henry wrote:

Openside wrote:Utterly gripping tournament with about 20 people within 3 shots of the leader!!
The good news is someone has to go out and win it rather than hang on
Or others fall away. At least one of those 20 will shoot a low score.

That 310 yd 3 wood to the last was possibly the best shot I have ever seen, esp. when you realise he had driven 360 yds just to get a chance of making the shot

3-wood, 3-wood to a 675 yard par five

Maybe they're right about those 8,000 yard courses..,

Just madness

I love the trackman technology they are using.

That Fleetwood guy looks pretty handy and cool ( barring blip on 18)
I am glad he is playing with Koepka as they seemed to be getting on well.

It would be great to see him win but there's some terrific players around him - Koepka being one.

henry wrote:

Openside wrote:

henry wrote:

Openside wrote:Utterly gripping tournament with about 20 people within 3 shots of the leader!!
The good news is someone has to go out and win it rather than hang on
Or others fall away. At least one of those 20 will shoot a low score.

That 310 yd 3 wood to the last was possibly the best shot I have ever seen, esp. when you realise he had driven 360 yds just to get a chance of making the shot

3-wood, 3-wood to a 675 yard par five

Maybe they're right about those 8,000 yard courses..,

Just madness

I love the trackman technology they are using.

That Fleetwood guy looks pretty handy and cool ( barring blip on 18)
I am glad he is playing with Koepka as they seemed to be getting on well.

It would be great to see him win but there's some terrific players around him - Koepka being one.

I am going to be glued from about 22:00 ( after Love Island natch )

Openside wrote:

henry wrote:

Openside wrote:Utterly gripping tournament with about 20 people within 3 shots of the leader!!
The good news is someone has to go out and win it rather than hang on
Or others fall away. At least one of those 20 will shoot a low score.

That 310 yd 3 wood to the last was possibly the best shot I have ever seen, esp. when you realise he had driven 360 yds just to get a chance of making the shot

3-wood, 3-wood to a 675 yard par five

Maybe they're right about those 8,000 yard courses..,

Just madness

I love the trackman technology they are using.

That Fleetwood guy looks pretty handy and cool ( barring blip on 18)
I am glad he is playing with Koepka as they seemed to be getting on well.

Probably played together on European Tour.

Both Nike too.

Koepka steaming into this.

Looks like Rory's record to par is going to go here.

henry wrote:US - Dustin Johnson
B&I - Justin Rose
Europe - Jon Rahm
Africa - Brandon Grace
AUS/NZ - Adam Scott
ROW - Si Woo Kim
Wildcard - Bradley Dredge (how is he even there?)

I don't think I did very well.



Congrats to Koepka - he is some player and I admire his background, having made his way through the junior tours. Fantastic player. Can see this lad winning a few but you could say about many - crazy depth and ability out there at the moment.

I see he hit a mere 340-yard 3 wood down the last. As you do.

Doing the scores now, I guarantee I won't win.

Right, so in a frankly appalling performance from all entrants (most players through the cut was 3 from 6) we have a new record for winning score, but unlike the Masters it's not a new low.

8th - ScarfaceClaw 476 points
7th - ZappaMan 467 points
6th - Henry 409 points
5th - rfurlong 404 points
4th - earl the beaver 392 points
3rd - MrJonno 372 points
2nd - rumham 316 points
1st - Azlan Roar 311 points

So congrats Azlan Roar on being least worst.

Current Holders updated:

Masters - rumham
US Open - Azlan Roar
Open Championship - earl the beaver
USPGA - Rusted


As mentioned, I'm away in Croatia for the Open, I can enter from my phone but won't be able to do the scoring, so need someone to take it over.

earl the beaver wrote:Right, so in a frankly appalling performance from all entrants (most players through the cut was 3 from 6)

The top 3 in the world missing the cut, all of whom are in their own category, will wreck any scores. The first time since they brought in world rankings in 1986 that it has ever happened.

earl the beaver wrote:Right, so in a frankly appalling performance from all entrants (most players through the cut was 3 from 6) we have a new record for winning score, but unlike the Masters it's not a new low.

8th - ScarfaceClaw 476 points
7th - ZappaMan 467 points
6th - Henry 409 points
5th - rfurlong 404 points
4th - earl the beaver 392 points
3rd - MrJonno 372 points
2nd - rumham 316 points
1st - Azlan Roar 311 points

So congrats Azlan Roar on being least worst.

Current Holders updated:

Masters - rumham
US Open - Azlan Roar
Open Championship - earl the beaver
USPGA - Rusted


As mentioned, I'm away in Croatia for the Open, I can enter from my phone but won't be able to do the scoring, so need someone to take it over.

Just checked in to see who the winner was and imagine my combined delight and surprise to discover I'd come out least worst

Going to place this here to commemorate the glorious victory:

earl the beaver wrote:Right, so in a frankly appalling performance from all entrants (most players through the cut was 3 from 6) we have a new record for winning score, but unlike the Masters it's not a new low.

8th - ScarfaceClaw 476 points
7th - ZappaMan 467 points
6th - Henry 409 points
5th - rfurlong 404 points
4th - earl the beaver 392 points
3rd - MrJonno 372 points
2nd - rumham 316 points
1st - Azlan Roar 311 points

So congrats Azlan Roar on being least worst.

Current Holders updated:

Masters - rumham
US Open - Azlan Roar
Open Championship - earl the beaver
USPGA - Rusted


As mentioned, I'm away in Croatia for the Open, I can enter from my phone but won't be able to do the scoring, so need someone to take it over.

Told you I'd be last and curse the careers of all those I selected. May their golfing careers burn in the hell they deserve for letting me down like this.