109th US Open - It's Lucas Glover.

In the muck and mire that will define this year's US Open, South Carolinian Lucas Glover was the last man standing. His birdie on the par four 16th hole, his lone birdie of the day, broke a tie for the lead and separated him from a pack including tournament stories Phil Mickelson and David Duval. Two final pars left Glover at -4, two clear of Mickelson, Duval, and 3rd round leader Ricky Barnes. It was the second career victory for the soft spoken Glover. Mickelson endured more Open angst as he gathered his record 5th second place finish. Duval just missed the exclamation point on a Lazerus-like resurgence from the depths of career yips. Barnes just plain fell apart, reverting to an awkward swing that sprayed balls all over the Bethpage State Park. Brit Ross Fisher landed in solo fifth at -1. Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson, and Soren Hansen were roped together in 6th place at even par for the event. Final Full Field Scores.

The crowd was jacked when Phil eagled the 13th hole hole, but bogeys on 15 and 17 ended his charge. As expected the fans were Phil fans urging him on until the end. In light of his wife Amy's cancer Phil showed remarkable heart and determination. Keep in mind this is high praise from Average Golfer, not an avowed Phil fan. Duval, in an astounding career comeback, lifted his own ranking by demonstrating great resolve. A triple on the par three 3rd hole could have effectively buried his chances, but he he exuded moxie with his finish that included three consecutive birds on 14, 15, and 16. His cruel lip-out bogey from four feet on 17 ended his rise. Had that putt dropped it may have placed a little more pressure on Glover's final two holes. As it was though, Glover neatly hit the 17th green and calmly and wisely hit 6 iron off 18 tee to ensure his victory.

Open Epilogue

All in all the weather was the dominating theme in this year's national championship. Between the mud balls, odd starts and stops of play, and the unusual Monday finish that wasn't playoff induced, this Open didn't have anywhere near a normal feel to it. Regardless, I'm certain the trophy feels perfectly fine in Lucas Glover's hands tonight. The luck of the draw, weather, difficult conditions are all a part of a sport played outside. I'm not sure I'd enjoy a golf dome if they had one. It all boils down to "Some days you're the dog, some the hydrant." Today Lucas Glover is the dog.



Til' next,

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,

Parr Leads '09 US Open

Well, the USGA likes par to be a good score during the Open, so now we have one in the lead after the deluge shortened first round screeched to a halt. Canadian Andrew Parr was actually one under after going birdie, par, par over his three recorded holes. The 26 year old is playing in his first US Open and gets to claim the overnight lead tied with three other relative unknowns. The USGA halted play early in the day after observing that the 18th green had become a "slip 'n slide".

No relation to Jack Paar, one wonders why young Parr's parents just didn't go two more strokes and tag him Andrew Eagle. It also brings the confusion, at least for the first two rounds, of score in relation to par, or is it Parr? Heady stuff.

Expect the rain to be a factor with The Weather Channel predicting steady showers and a possibility of thunderstorms throughout the event. The bombers should prevail in wet conditions, not needing roll to move down this 7,600 yard trial.

Looks like the tournament really starts tomorrow, although Andrew Parr's journey has taken it's first tentative steps.



Til' next,

2009 US Open - Odds and Picks

Once again it's US Open time, the event that signals summer's arrival and culminates on Father's Day. Hopefully with a riveting finale that will make Father's Day even more memorable. Based on his Memorial Tournament victory Tiger Woods has been installed as the heavy favorite. You could get better odds on the sun not rising tomorrow. To give you an idea how lopsided the odds are, Angel Cabrera, two time major winner, is listed at 67/1. I like his length as a prerequisite to taming Bethpage Black, the penultimate monster course in the rota.

Without further review and with assistance from Ladbrokes, the venerable British betting house, Average Golfer will commence to handicap this year's field of combatants and arrive at a top three selection to the amazement of all. Hang on to your hats..........

Tiger Woods, 2.75/1, Nuff' said. Prohibitive favorite and rightfully so based on his last performance here. Predicted wet four days will only help. Should win.

Phil Mickelson, 15/1, Lefty would have to pull a rabbit out to win this. Weak showing last week. Understandable given his wife's illness. Won't win.

Geoff Ogilvy, 21/1, Has a US Open trophy. Not exactly peaking. Still, has steely nerves. Possible, not probable.

Jim Furyk, 21/1, Straight as a Mormon. Has the experience and a trophy. Wet conditions won't help. Could win.

Paul Casey, 26/1, Better than the odds show. Having a great year. Has length, could win.

Padraig Harrington, 34/1, Paddy's not quite Paddy of last year. Obviously can win majors, just not this one.

Sergio Garcia, 34/1, Killed by crowd last time here over regripping ad nauseum. Not playing well enough for the mobs to ride him. Can't win.

Steve Stricker, 34/1, "Mr. Hang In There" til' the end, then beat you. Hot or not putter may tell the story. Could win.

Camilo Villegas, 41/1, Has the goods. Loves the spotlight. Needs to improve over recent results. Could win.

Ernie Els, 41/1, Never exactly fiery, seems complacent. Last Open wins seem eons ago. Won't win.

Retief Goosen, 41/1, Master of fast greens. Been there, done that. Like him as a dark horse.

Rory McIlroy, 41/1, Could surprise with a great round or two. Lack of championship savvy will probably hurt. Like him 5 years from now as a favorite.

Sean O'Hair, 41/1, Stares down Tiger. If he's around on Sunday perhaps a chance. Small chance.

Vijay Singh, 41/1, Would have to revert to Vijay of old and in a hurry. Knee bothers him more than he lets on. Possible.

David Toms, 51/1, Too short to compete here. Top 10 would be a great week.

Henrik Stenson, 51/1, Odds seem too steep here. Has the length and total game to compete with Woods. Could win.

Kenny Perry, 51/1, Plenty long. Plays his best golf in his late forties. Go figure. Could win with a hot putter.

Luke Donald, 51/1, Might turn in a good round. Too short for this behemoth. Won't win.

Zach Johnson, 51/1, See Luke Donald. Dry Augusta more to his liking.

Sentimental favorites.........David Duval, Rocco, Darren Clarke.

Sleeper Picks.........Sabbatini, Allenby, Rose, and Poulter.


Average Golfer's expert Top Three finishers........

1. Woods
2. Goosen
3. Stenson

There, another year under wraps. Maybe it's my advancing age, but hasn't the last year just blown by?

Bet early and often.



Til' next,