The US Open 2009 - Round One
First Round Review of the Year's 2nd Golf Major From Bethpage Black
Jun 20, 2009
The year’s second major comes from Long Island, New York at the notorious BethPage Black course. The course is a 7400+ yard Par 70 test for the players with only one water hazard. Going into the week public attention and sympathy is with Phil Mickelson after the news that his wife has breast cancer. Mickelson would have been the enthusiastic New York fans favourite anyway and the Californian lefty is trying to make it victory number one in The US Open after coming second four times.
Play starts on time but the forecast is dreadful and only three hours play is possible before the hooter sounds and the players are forced off the course at 10.15. The rain shows no sign of stopping and three hours later play is abandoned for the day. The course receives two and a half inches of rain in under twelve hours. The forecast is better for tomorrow.
Volunteers Armed with Squeegees
Scores of volunteers armed with squeegees have been working on each hole overnight and the organisers have even got the helicopters out to aid drying the course out and miraculously they have managed it and the first batch of players come out to continue their first rounds.
Tiger Woods round is not following the script. At level par after fourteen holes one would expect that he would finish the round at no worse than that but four dropped shots on the last four holes including a double bogey on fifteen leave him at +4. Cabrera, his playing partner similarly falters to finish on the same score. The 3rd member of this exalted group is Ireland’s Padraig Harrington who can only manage a 76.
Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and England’s Ian Poulter show that a reasonable score is possible carding 69 and 70 respectively but there is no doubt that those who began yesterday have had the worst deal. Friday’s conditions are much better and now the second half of the draw has the opportunity to finally play some golf, and, weather permitting, possibly 27 holes as the 2nd group will turn round quickly to commence their 2nd Round.
As the second batch of players are getting into their rounds there is at least an hour when the leading score remains at -2 but Sweden’s Peter Hanson soon breaks on through and is making the most of his dramatic entry into The US Open via a hole in one at Walton Heath qualifying in a play-off. Mickelson drains a thirty foot putt on the 17th, his 8th to get into red figures.
Mike Weir’s Approach Shots
Mike Weir’s approach shots from 15 are incredible to accelerate his chances and he makes a couple of birdies and as they start the back nine him and Hanson share the lead at -4. The glamorous grouping of the day, Sergio Garcia, Camilo Villegas and Adam Scott are all playing well as the weather is now good, with the ball flying further and the greens receptive. The leading players are taking advantage of it and trying to secure a major lead over the players in the other half of the draw.
Fans' Favourite Mickelson
Some golden oldies are joining fans favourite Mickelson close to the top of the leader board including David Toms, David Duval and once again, like last year, Rocco Mediate. Mike Weir ends day one two shots clear after birdying his last two holes at -6
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