Once again, thanks to Eric for great coverage.
Here is what has happened to the World's Top 10 Golfers. As you can see, it was another disappointing performance in a major from Luke Donald. He and Rory McIlroy will be under a lot of pressure to do better at the British Open next month:
1. L. Donald (ENG): +11 (missed cut)
2. R. McIlroy (NIR): +10 (missed cut)
3. L. Westwood (ENG): +5 (tied for 29th)
4. T. Woods: -1 (tied for 1st)
5. B. Watson: +9 (missed cut)
6. M. Kuchar: +3 (tied for 9th)
7. J. Rose (ENG): +4 (tied for 18th)
8. H. Mahan: +3 (tied for 9th)
9. J. Dufner: +3 (tied for 9th)
10. D. Johnson: +9 (missed cut)
Most of the talk today and tomorrow will be about Tiger Woods, who (in his prime) was the best athlete I have ever seen. He's not in his prime now, but he's still very shrewd and formidable when he's on his game. He survived a stretch of three bogeys in a row on holes 5, 6, and 7 -- and then played the rest of his round in two under par. He will be disappointed that he couldn't birdie 17 or 18 to take the lead outright, but he will also know that he's hitting the ball better than anyone else in the field. If his putting holds up, he is in a very strong position to pick up a record-tying fourth U.S. Open title.
Here is the leaderboard after Round 2:
T1. D. Toms: -1 (69+70=139)
T1. J. Furyk: -1 (70+69=139)
T1. T. Woods: -1 (69+70=139)
T4. M. Thompson: +1 (66+75=141)
T4. M. Colsaerts (BEL): +1 (72+69=141)
T4. G. McDowell (NIR): +1 (69+72=141)
T4. J. Peterson: +1 (71+70=141)
8. B. Adams: +2 (72+70=142)
T9. F. Jacobson (SWE): +3 (72+71=143)
T9. K.J. Choi (KOR): +3 (73+70=143)
T9. C. Schwartzel (RSA): +3 (73+70=143)
T9. Mr. B. Hossler: +3 (70+73=143)
T9. R. Jacquelin (FRA): +3 (72+71=143)
T9. J. Dufner: +3 (72+71=143)
T9. M. Kuchar: +3 (70+73=143)
T9. H. Mahan: +3 (72+71=143)
T9. A. Watkins: +3 (72+71=143)
Like the rest of Earth, I enjoy the Masters more than the U.S. Open. However, the fierce defense of par does make this tournament plenty interesting. For example, if I was Bo Van Pelt this morning, I'd still be optimistic despite the "T59" next to my name in this morning's paper. I shot 70 yesterday just to squeeze in at the 8-under cut line. Now, the best round of the tournament so far was Michael Thompson's 66 Thursday; if I could muster one of those each today and tomorrow, that gets me back to par for the weekend. Maybe I get in to a playoff. I shot a 67 round in the U.S. Open last year ... one never knows.
ReplyDeleteMy only concern is that the whole "defense of par" agenda often takes precedence over "identifying the best golfer" agenda. Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros won a total of 11 major titles, but neither of them won the U.S. Open. Meanwhile, Andy North and Lee Janzen won a total of four U.S. Opens.
ReplyDeleteThe golfers slaughtered par at last year's U.S. Open, but Rory McIlroy was a worthy champion -- and to me, that's more important.