(A) Congressional:
- - Summing up comments of U.S.G.A. Executive Director Mike Davis when asked during a Golf Channel interview what are unique characteristics of Congressional as an Open venue: (a) It’s a long course; for that reason the fairways are somewhat wider, and they “play wide” as well. (b) And very fast greens; the slopes and contours and grass characteristics of each venue impact that standard, and these greens will be very fast . . . The USGA under Mike Davis has been very much "on their game" in setting up courses since Shinnecock in 2004, but some concerns seem to be emerging recently about some sections of the new greens, and some of the high traffic areas . . . Seems a consensus the course favors shaping tee shots from right to left, and hitting high approach shots. Looking at the flyovers of the 4th and 15th holes, it’s almost impossible (at least for this narrator) to visualize threading the needle to get the ball in play. Modest winds in a fairly consistent weather forecast would also seem supportive of favoring the chances of the high ball hitters . . . Patience, and holing the putts that keep the patient round going, are always close to the essence of what is required for a U.S. Open examination.
(B) Capping the Majors and Big Events:
- - Everything is prelude for me - whether building and hinting and emerging over this season, or having deeper roots than that - when it comes to capping the storylines for the majors and the big events 4 or 6 or 8 times a year . . . There are multiple schools of thought on almost any aspect of capping, and one of those “controversies” is whether or not, as a rule, the majors are tougher or easier to cap than the week-in-and-week-out grind of the regular events . . .
(C) Outrights:
- - With no Eldrick Woods hoovering up the action at a price in the +350 range, I’ve been generally disappointed for weeks about the prices on offer across most segments of the board, and such disappointment did not abate this week when the prices in the specialty markets came out. 100/1 (or 45/1 Top U.S.) on Bill Haas, or 50/1 on Jason Day, or 150/1 on Edoardo Molinari, just are not prices that make my eyes bug out. But be that as it may . . .
Phil Mickelson(14/1) e.w. (6 places)
- - I’m about 20 years removed from my first rodeo as a Mickelson fan. I could go down the list of major championships since those early days, and seriously breakdown the dozens of times when I very much liked Phil’s preparation and approach, and/or the venue, and/or the discussion and mindset I was hearing from Lefty and those in his camp, and respected observers on the scene; the many times when I wasn’t liking the stuff I was seeing and hearing; and quite a few times when I wasn’t getting much of a strong feel either way . . . Since Monday it's been nothing but green lights on reasons I’ve liked for letting the 5 times a bridesmaid carry my cash around the nation’s capital this week.
Angel Cabrera(80/1) e.w. (5 places)
- - From 5.14.11, Cabrera has been my only ante-post wager for the event. Since then I haven't cooled on the selection, but I haven't grown more enamored with it either. On the whole, I plainly see enough solid capping angles to support the play and place it somewhere far removed from any WTF was I thinking regrets.
Bubba Watson(45/1) e.w. (6 places)
- - During a Golf Channel telecast early in 2010, analyst Billy Andrade broke down the glaring deficiency in Bubba’s game, which was the failure to establish and incorporate pre-shot techniques and routines in his game to calm his mind and set a pattern for success. Andrade sequenced together several instances of Bubba’s virtually random pre-shot techniques, and flatly stated Bubba would never be successful until that basic deficiency was addressed and corrected. . . Move forward just a few months, and fast forward to today, and Bubba has been 3 times a winner since early in 2010. And sure enough, within months of Andrade’s analysis, Bubba had and has developed a routine that IMO still appears more conscientiously employed than instinctively applied (and frequently preceded by lengthy deliberations before finally committing to stepping into the sequences of his routine), but nonetheless a well rehearsed routine which I think Billy Andrade would heartily applaud . . . That maturity is now a platform for letting the genius of his talents make him a formidable threat on golf’s biggest stages, with Golf Boys videos and White House visits sprinkled in as fillers rather than the main course.
Stewart Cink(80/1) e.w. (6 places)
- - For possible surprises, I keep coming back to 5 names most often: Stewart Cink, Webb Simpson, Chad Campbell, Harrison Frazar and Edoardo Molinari, and my trigger finger says the worthy play is on Cink. The likable motherfucker thoroughly gutted me at Turnberry in ways only those who know me can ever begin to appreciate, and I will NEVER get over it unless some time in the future the impossible happens and Tom Watson does the impossible one better . . . Regardless, Cink has been tracking well in recent weeks on my radar (he says it's his driving that is finally coming around), and he should be coming around about now from any 2009 hangover (i.e., per my "Big Boy Game for Big Boy Courses" point of reference under Bill Haas).
Bill Haas(45/1) e.w. Top American (4 places)
- - Has some of the "Big Boy Game for Big Boy Courses" I associate with contenders in major championships, but lacks all the pieces I associate with the likes of Ogilvy or Glover for closing a moment, so I've opted for the Top American market. What I like most is the likelihood of being keyed up after a far too long absence from rubbing elbows at a USGA event, which is somewhat similar to the absence from majors in general by Lucas Glover prior to the 2009 U.S. Open that shot Glover to the head of the class with my plays on that occasion.
Sam Saunders(250/1) (1st Round Leader) e.w. (5 places)
- - The real chances to make a score come on holes 5 through 9, so I would much prefer someone that wasn't starting on 10 and 11. Bill Haas is also starting on 10 or I would be adding a 1st Round play on him as well . . . Be that as it may, my two favorite specialty markets every year are 1st Round Leader of the U.S. Open and Top Masters Debutante, and Sam is going to carry my cash today for as long as it lasts, whether the thrill lasts 2 holes or until the sun goes down tonight.
(D) Matchups:
Mickelson(-120) over Kaymer (Tournament)
Rock(-160) Misses Cut
Watson(+100) over Choi (Tournament)
Mickelson(-180) Finishing Position Un18'
Cheers!
"My God, I've won the Open."
GL
- - Summing up comments of U.S.G.A. Executive Director Mike Davis when asked during a Golf Channel interview what are unique characteristics of Congressional as an Open venue: (a) It’s a long course; for that reason the fairways are somewhat wider, and they “play wide” as well. (b) And very fast greens; the slopes and contours and grass characteristics of each venue impact that standard, and these greens will be very fast . . . The USGA under Mike Davis has been very much "on their game" in setting up courses since Shinnecock in 2004, but some concerns seem to be emerging recently about some sections of the new greens, and some of the high traffic areas . . . Seems a consensus the course favors shaping tee shots from right to left, and hitting high approach shots. Looking at the flyovers of the 4th and 15th holes, it’s almost impossible (at least for this narrator) to visualize threading the needle to get the ball in play. Modest winds in a fairly consistent weather forecast would also seem supportive of favoring the chances of the high ball hitters . . . Patience, and holing the putts that keep the patient round going, are always close to the essence of what is required for a U.S. Open examination.
(B) Capping the Majors and Big Events:
- - Everything is prelude for me - whether building and hinting and emerging over this season, or having deeper roots than that - when it comes to capping the storylines for the majors and the big events 4 or 6 or 8 times a year . . . There are multiple schools of thought on almost any aspect of capping, and one of those “controversies” is whether or not, as a rule, the majors are tougher or easier to cap than the week-in-and-week-out grind of the regular events . . .
(C) Outrights:
- - With no Eldrick Woods hoovering up the action at a price in the +350 range, I’ve been generally disappointed for weeks about the prices on offer across most segments of the board, and such disappointment did not abate this week when the prices in the specialty markets came out. 100/1 (or 45/1 Top U.S.) on Bill Haas, or 50/1 on Jason Day, or 150/1 on Edoardo Molinari, just are not prices that make my eyes bug out. But be that as it may . . .
Phil Mickelson(14/1) e.w. (6 places)
- - I’m about 20 years removed from my first rodeo as a Mickelson fan. I could go down the list of major championships since those early days, and seriously breakdown the dozens of times when I very much liked Phil’s preparation and approach, and/or the venue, and/or the discussion and mindset I was hearing from Lefty and those in his camp, and respected observers on the scene; the many times when I wasn’t liking the stuff I was seeing and hearing; and quite a few times when I wasn’t getting much of a strong feel either way . . . Since Monday it's been nothing but green lights on reasons I’ve liked for letting the 5 times a bridesmaid carry my cash around the nation’s capital this week.
Angel Cabrera(80/1) e.w. (5 places)
- - From 5.14.11, Cabrera has been my only ante-post wager for the event. Since then I haven't cooled on the selection, but I haven't grown more enamored with it either. On the whole, I plainly see enough solid capping angles to support the play and place it somewhere far removed from any WTF was I thinking regrets.
Bubba Watson(45/1) e.w. (6 places)
- - During a Golf Channel telecast early in 2010, analyst Billy Andrade broke down the glaring deficiency in Bubba’s game, which was the failure to establish and incorporate pre-shot techniques and routines in his game to calm his mind and set a pattern for success. Andrade sequenced together several instances of Bubba’s virtually random pre-shot techniques, and flatly stated Bubba would never be successful until that basic deficiency was addressed and corrected. . . Move forward just a few months, and fast forward to today, and Bubba has been 3 times a winner since early in 2010. And sure enough, within months of Andrade’s analysis, Bubba had and has developed a routine that IMO still appears more conscientiously employed than instinctively applied (and frequently preceded by lengthy deliberations before finally committing to stepping into the sequences of his routine), but nonetheless a well rehearsed routine which I think Billy Andrade would heartily applaud . . . That maturity is now a platform for letting the genius of his talents make him a formidable threat on golf’s biggest stages, with Golf Boys videos and White House visits sprinkled in as fillers rather than the main course.
Stewart Cink(80/1) e.w. (6 places)
- - For possible surprises, I keep coming back to 5 names most often: Stewart Cink, Webb Simpson, Chad Campbell, Harrison Frazar and Edoardo Molinari, and my trigger finger says the worthy play is on Cink. The likable motherfucker thoroughly gutted me at Turnberry in ways only those who know me can ever begin to appreciate, and I will NEVER get over it unless some time in the future the impossible happens and Tom Watson does the impossible one better . . . Regardless, Cink has been tracking well in recent weeks on my radar (he says it's his driving that is finally coming around), and he should be coming around about now from any 2009 hangover (i.e., per my "Big Boy Game for Big Boy Courses" point of reference under Bill Haas).
Bill Haas(45/1) e.w. Top American (4 places)
- - Has some of the "Big Boy Game for Big Boy Courses" I associate with contenders in major championships, but lacks all the pieces I associate with the likes of Ogilvy or Glover for closing a moment, so I've opted for the Top American market. What I like most is the likelihood of being keyed up after a far too long absence from rubbing elbows at a USGA event, which is somewhat similar to the absence from majors in general by Lucas Glover prior to the 2009 U.S. Open that shot Glover to the head of the class with my plays on that occasion.
Sam Saunders(250/1) (1st Round Leader) e.w. (5 places)
- - The real chances to make a score come on holes 5 through 9, so I would much prefer someone that wasn't starting on 10 and 11. Bill Haas is also starting on 10 or I would be adding a 1st Round play on him as well . . . Be that as it may, my two favorite specialty markets every year are 1st Round Leader of the U.S. Open and Top Masters Debutante, and Sam is going to carry my cash today for as long as it lasts, whether the thrill lasts 2 holes or until the sun goes down tonight.
(D) Matchups:
Mickelson(-120) over Kaymer (Tournament)
Rock(-160) Misses Cut
Watson(+100) over Choi (Tournament)
Mickelson(-180) Finishing Position Un18'
Cheers!
"My God, I've won the Open."
GL
I spent several unsuccessful minutes trying to figure out how to edit my earlier post and add a play, so I'll tack it on separately . . .
Kevin Streelman(100/1) (1st Round Leader) e.w. (5 places)
- - My last moment wager, over Jason Day or Hunter Mahan or Chad Campbell for the tournament; I'll look at in-running.
GL
Kevin Streelman(100/1) (1st Round Leader) e.w. (5 places)
- - My last moment wager, over Jason Day or Hunter Mahan or Chad Campbell for the tournament; I'll look at in-running.
GL
man, cant believe choi played like that this morning....shocking from him.
halfway throught the first round and my personal opinion is there is absolutely no telling who is gonna be in the mix on sunday.....looks like a hell of a golf course, but i want to see the greens firmer and faster
halfway throught the first round and my personal opinion is there is absolutely no telling who is gonna be in the mix on sunday.....looks like a hell of a golf course, but i want to see the greens firmer and faster
No, not worried. I hope rory goes low today and carries the lead for a couple days. I'd be worried if he shot 72 today, if he's around the lead I'm comfortable since he has no idea how to play with a lead which is why he has a whopping 2 wins in his career....that's pretty sad he only has two wins considering he definitely has the best swing in the world....mental mental mental, poor curly headed, freckled face kid
This course reminds me of Muirfield, at least by the looks of the two on tv....and rory loves muirfield cause its big and lush. If they get rain at congressional and the greens and fairways dnt get hard and fast, rory could run away with this thing if he can just throw darts on the green all week.
I doubt Mike Davis is gonna let anybody run away with this tournament though. He knows how to set the course up for the Sunday drama that golf needs without tiger in the field. If Rory does win, I'm gonna kick my own ass cause I took everybody besides him. There hasn't been many people holding onto nice leads this year in any tournament, much less the US Open so we will see I guess. I haven't seen the updated futures yet, but I'm sure there is no value in Rory right now, hopefully some of my picks can narrow the gap and then I can grab Rory tomorrow with a little better odds
I like Sergio's position after the first round. Sure would be nice to see 3 more solid rounds from him this week.
I doubt Mike Davis is gonna let anybody run away with this tournament though. He knows how to set the course up for the Sunday drama that golf needs without tiger in the field. If Rory does win, I'm gonna kick my own ass cause I took everybody besides him. There hasn't been many people holding onto nice leads this year in any tournament, much less the US Open so we will see I guess. I haven't seen the updated futures yet, but I'm sure there is no value in Rory right now, hopefully some of my picks can narrow the gap and then I can grab Rory tomorrow with a little better odds
I like Sergio's position after the first round. Sure would be nice to see 3 more solid rounds from him this week.
if swartzel wins the first 2 majors this year i'll........hell i dont even know what i'd do..guess i'd be shocked.
phil looks tempting +108 over rory tomorrow....thoughts?
sergio vs rory final group sunday is what i want to see..sergio hit the ball great today hopefully he can make some putts
phil looks tempting +108 over rory tomorrow....thoughts?
sergio vs rory final group sunday is what i want to see..sergio hit the ball great today hopefully he can make some putts
