Manic Monday Finish for '09 US Open

They'll resume play promptly at 9:00 tomorrow to settle the 2009 US Open. Ricky Barnes and Lucas Glover share the lead at -7, both players ending their final rounds for today after their drives on the 2nd hole. Advantage Glover. His par on the 1st made up the one shot deficit he faced when the final round began. Barnes' bogey had opened the door. When the horns stopped play due to darkness at 7:59 PM the players had the option of finishing the hole they were on. Barnes and Glover chose to mark, Glover in the fairway, Barnes in the hellacious fescue.

Barnes Leaking Oil

Barnes saw his six stroke advantage disappear on the back nine of the 3rd round. Glover bested him with 32 to Barnes' 37. That left a bevy of players with a hope should the relatively inexperienced leaders falter on Monday. David Duval, Hunter Mahan, Ross Fisher, and Phil Mickelson picked up their balls on Sunday evening in a lock at -2. One more back was Mike Weir and one further behind was a five way tie at even par including Tiger Woods.

So, potentially ten players could step up to fill the void should the leaders tank. It should be compelling action that will occur smack dab in the middle of Average Golfer's day at work. If ever there was a day to be self employed, tomorrow would be one. I should be able to catch an update during lunch which will either show the imminent winner or frustrate me with a tight finish. Regardless, we'll post closing thoughts on this year's Open tomorrow evening, rain or shine.

Bethpage a Bore?

I'll be the first to say having the US Open at a public, very public venue was a great idea in 2002. The idea of a raucus New York crowd thrown in a major championship was brilliant and it came off seamlessly. Perhaps it's been the depressing weather and stop and start action, but I don't see anything particularly exciting about Bethpage Black. Other than it's reputation as being longer than 10th grade math, there aren't any holes that stick in my mind. The 18th is a nice hole, but not a classic finisher you'd expect at a major. The 1st is actually a dynamic hole with the ability to showcase 2 and 3 shot swings. The narrow dogleg places extreme emphasis on tee accuracy and deserves to be toward the end of a round. One gimmicky 142 yard par three, presented today during the 3rd round, doesn't add up to 18 engrossing holes. The rest just seem like boorish 500 yard par fours, somewhat featureless and forgetable. I can think of a dozen courses I'd like to see in the rota next before Bethpage gets another call for our country's championship. What do y'all think?




Til' next,