9:02PM PST: Tiger and Phil paired for first two rounds of U.S. Open. More to come...11:17PM PST: A couple of personal reactions to this news:
First, if I can't land some free tickets, I probably just lost another $500 for Thursday and Friday.
Secondly, how in the world am I going to navigate that crowd and keep up with Tiger? I mean, is it insane to think that if there's 60,000 fans there each day, that 45,000 of them will be trying to get a look at that group? Just imagine trying to watch a Dodgers game where every half inning they moved to a different field.
Third, what an obvious stunt by the USGA. #1, #2 and #3 (I didn't mention Adam Scott is rounding out the group). One of my first posts last year was about the not so accidental pairings the USGA traditionally puts together, and while this isn't as funny as putting Boo, Bubba and Nobu together for last year's first 2 rounds, it's a lot more noteworthy. As a golf fan, I love it.
But it leads me to 4. As a Tiger fan, I hate it. Tiger is intimidated by no one golfer. But can he be intimidated by two? Especially when they're both taught by his old coach who knows his tricks? And when the last time Scott played with him (at the CA Championship), Scott got him by 3? And when the last time Phil played with him (at the Deutsche Bank), Phil got him by one?
Besides, isn't there something more magical about the #1 and #2 meeting naturally on the weekend of a major in a head-to-head match up they've both earned by playing well? Course if they do play well, that just might happen too.
Now if you don't mind, I have to go sell my car for U.S. Open tickets.
3 comments:
The USGA just guaranteed that the best seat in the house will be literally in the house. Sit at home and watch on TV. There will be 40,000 around that one group, and crickets for the rest of the field.
To add to your "intimidation" theory, Tiger may not be 100% right out of the chute, if at all this week. It's a shame to have a physically recovering and mentally rusty Tiger paired with #2 and #3.
Then again - he IS Tiger Woods. Phil and Adam...keep your head on a swivel - Tiger could just come in and steamroll the field.
I'm not as avid of a golfer as most of your readers Bob, but to me - this is HUGE news! And my local newspaper (LA Times) decided it was so big the buried in on Page 8 and not even the top billing of that article! :(
Thanks to you, I saw this detail and I appreciate your headlining it -- even at 11PM!
Great job - and thanks!
Yeah, I dunno, sorta dumb of the USGA if you ask me. It can't be good for TV coverage right? All the firepower in one side of the tee time draw, right?
Well, should be fun to watch anyway... I hope Tiger pulls it off.
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