(( U.S. OPEN )) from Oakmont.

The U.S. Open will be contested for a record ninth time at Oakmont Country Club. Previous U.S. champions at Oakmont are: Tommy Armour (1927), Sam Parks Jr. (1935), Ben Hogan (1953), Jack Nicklaus (1962), Johnny Miller (1973), Larry Nelson (1983), Ernie Els (1994) and Angel Cabrera (2007).

U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying: Live Updates

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/news/articles/2016-06-06/us_open_sectional_qualifying_live_updates.html

Bryson DeChambeau became exempt for the 2016 U.S. Open when he claimed the 2015 U.S. Amateur title at Olympia Fields Country Club last August. Following a tie for 21st in the Masters this April, DeChambeau embarked on his professional career, and in doing so, forfeited his exemption into the championship. Still exempt into sectional qualifying, DeChambeau is making the most of his opportunity to play in his major championship as a professional. He’s currently tied for seventh in the Powell, Ohio qualifier, where 13 spots are available, midway through his second round.

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/us-open-sectional-qualifiers-whats-stake/?cid=twitter-gc-a-us-open-sectional-qualifiers-whats-stake-060516

Looks like Luke Donald will be one of the first to qualify - finished in Ohio @ -5 for a T8 with 13 spots available.

Play has been officially suspended for the day in Jacksonville, Fla.....will resume tomorrow at 10 a.m.

http://golfweek.com/tracker/live-blog-tour-us-open-sectional-qualifiers/

Powell, Ohio (Wedgewood GC and Kinsale GC)
What's at stake: 103 players for 13 U.S. Open spots
Notable names: Luke Donald, Camilo Villegas, Gary Woodland, Jamie Lovemark, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Rodgers
Notes: This sectional, staged near the site of this week's Memorial Tournament, typically draws the strongest field and will include plenty of PGA Tour pros. While the exact number of spots available will be determined in the morning, last year 15 players qualified at this sectional.

Memphis, Tenn. (Germantown CC)
What's at stake: 121 players for 10 spots
Notable names: Brian Harman, Ryan Palmer, Steve Stricker, Ben Crane, David Toms, Jordan Niebrugge, Lee McCoy
Notes: This is another qualifier well-stocked with household names, played a short drive from next week's FedEx St. Jude Classic. Last year Harman was among 10 players to advance from this site.

Daly City, Calif. (Lake Merced GC and Olympic Club - Ocean Course)
What's at stake: 100 players for six spots
Notable names: Gunn Yang (a), Rico Hoey (a), Will Zalatoris (a), Maverick McNealy (a)
Notes: The amateurs could steal the show at this qualifier, whose field includes a pair of former USGA champs in Yang and Zalatoris as well as McNealy, the former NCAA Player of the Year, and Hoey, who just wrapped a standout season at USC.

Summit, N.J. (Canoe Brook CC)
What's at stake: 98 players for six spots
Notable names: Lee Janzen, Rob Oppenheim, Steve Scott, Jim Herman, Johnson Wagner
Notes: Even two-time champs have to qualify, as Janzen's exemption for his 1998 U.S. Open win expired in 2008. He qualified via sectionals last year and will try again against a field that also includes Herman, who won the Shell Houston Open in April.

Springfield, Ohio (Springfield CC)
What's at stake: 59 players for four spots
Notable names: Tony Finau, Brian Stuard, Jamie Sadlowski, Kyle Reifers, Troy Merritt, Zac Blair
Notes: Finau was among the foursome to qualify at this site a year ago, while Stuard, who won the Zurich Classic in April, was the medalist at the  Springfield qualifier in both 2013 and 2014.

Houston, Texas (Lakeside CC)
What's at stake: 51 players for three spots
Notable names: Edward Loar, James Driscoll, Kevin Tway, Brad Dalke (a)
Notes: Dalke just finished his freshman year at Oklahoma and could contend for a spot. Beau Hossler was expected to participate in this qualifier before withdrawing because of a shoulder injury suffered this week at the NCAA Championships.

Rockville, Md. (Woodmont CC)
What's at stake: 55 players for three spots
Notable names: Woody Austin, Billy Hurley III, Chad Collins, Nicholas Thompson, Steve Wheatcroft
Notes: Hurley, a former golfer at Navy, was among the trio of players to advance from this sectional last year. Wheatcroft is looking to earn a spot in the field at Oakmont, where he used to work before reaching the PGA Tour.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Timuquana CC)
What's at stake: 63 players for four spots
Notable names: Vijay Singh, Sam Horsfield (a), Chase Koepka (a)
Notes: Singh, 53, is looking to make the U.S. Open field for the first time since 2012. This field was expected to include Ian Poulter until the Englishman withdrew this week because of a foot injury that will sideline him for four months.

Roswell, Ga. (Ansley GC)
What's at stake: 39 players for three spots
Notable names: Ollie Schniederjans, Roberto Castro, Blake Adams
Notes: The smallest qualifier field will include a pair of Georgia Tech products in Castro as well as Schniederjans, whose brother, Luke, will also be eyeing a spot at Oakmont.

Vancouver, Wash. (Royal Oaks CC)
What's at stake: 54 players for three spots
Notable names: Aaron Wise (a), Sulman Raza (a), Nick Taylor, Austin Connelly
Notes: This field will include a pair of players who displayed some heroics last week at the NCAAs. Wise captured the individual NCAA title, then helped Oregon to the team title where Raza scored the winning point in extra holes.

At just 21 years of age, Luis Miguel Tabuena is already making a name for himself in his home country of the Philippines, winning his country’s national championship, the Philippines Open, in December. He’s now taking his game international, and it may not be long before the golf world is taking notice. After starting off 1 under for his first 10 holes on Monday in the Daly City, Calif. sectional qualifier at Lake Merced Golf Club, Tabuena played his last eight holes in 7-under, carding two eagles on his way to a 64. He is just getting started in his second round, at The Olympic Club’s Ocean Course. With only six spots available, it will be important for him to continue to stay on the offensive. He still leads by one with -1thru5 holes of his second round.

Donald in a 6 man play off today for 5 spots

6-for-5 playoff Tuesday 7:30 am in Columbus: Donald, Summerhays, Rodgers, Scheffler, Allred, Schembechler.

Bryan DeChambeau going back to the US Open, this time as a pro.

Sizzling 62 at ridgeway for DJ Trahan. Ties Andres Gonzales for co-medalist with 11-under 131 aggregate at Memphis sectional.

Lake Merced Golf Club/The Olympic Club (Ocean Course), Daly City, Calif.
Miguel Tabuena, (-11) 64-68=132
Justin Suh (a), (-9) 67-67=134
Gregor Main, (-9) 66-68=134
Mark Anguiano, (-9) 66-68=134
Tyler Raber, (-7) 69-67=136
Brandon Harkins, (-6) 68-69=137
Notables who failed to qualify: Gunn Yang (a) (-5), Will Zalatoris (a) (-5), Rico Hoey (a) (-3), Maverick McNealy (a) (+3)

Timaquana Country Club, Jacksonville, Fla. (In progress, four spots available)
Joey Garber, -8 through 25 holes
Sam Horsfield (a), -5 through 29
Tim Wilkinson, -5 through 26
Tyler McCumber, -5 through 24
Zachary Edmonson, -5 through 22
Cristobal del Solar (a), -5 through 22
Note: Play suspended because of inclement weather and will resume at 10 a.m. ET Tuesday.


Ansley Golf Club (Settindown Creek Course), Roswell, Ga.
Kent Bulle, (-11) 69-64=133
Ryan Stachler (a), (-8) 71-65=136
Frank Adams III, (-7) 66-71=137
Notables who failed to qualify: Roberto Castro (-3), Ollie Schniederjans (-3)

Woodmont Country Club (North Course), Rockville, Md.
Billy Hurley III, (-9) 67-68=135
Chase Parker, (-6) 71-67=138
Denny McCarthy, (-6) 71-67=138
Notables who failed to qualify: Mike Van Sickle (-6, lost 3-for-2 playoff), Steve Wheatcroft (-2), Chad Collins (+4), Woody Austin (+7)

Canoe Brook (North and South courses), Summit, N.J.
Jim Herman, (-7) 67-70=137
Rob Oppenheim, (-7) 67-70=137
Andy Pope, (-6) 72-66=138
Justin Hicks, (-6) 65-73=138
Michael Miller, (-6) 68-70=138
Chris Crawford (a), (-6) 65-73=138
Notables who failed to qualify: Johnson Wagner (-3), Andrew Svoboda (-2), Lee Janzen (-2)

Wedgewood Golf & Country Club/Kinsdale Golf & Fitness Club, Powell, Ohio
Carlos Ortiz, (-10) 66-66=132
Bryson Dechambeau, (-9) 70-63=133
Ethan Tracy, (-9) 65-68=133
Brendan Steele, (-8) 66-68=134
Spencer Levin, (-7) 71-64=135
Wes Short, (-7) 69-66=135
Kevin Streelman, (-7) 67-68=135
Jason Kokrak, (-6) 71-65=136
Note: Luke Donald, Jason Allred, Patrick Rodgers, Daniel Summerhays, Richard Schembechler and Scottie Scheffler (a) will compete in 6-for-5 playoff for remaining spots at 7:30 a.m. ET Tuesday.
Notables who failed to qualify: Erik Compton (-4), Ken Duke (-4), Billy Mayfair (-2), Aaron Baddeley (-1), Camilo Villegas (+1), John Senden (+4), Jamie Lovemark (WD), Scott Brown (WD), Stuart Appleby (WD)
Springfield Country Club, Springfield, Ohio
Nick Hardy (a), (-6) 70-64=134
Kyle Mueller (a), (-5) 68-67=135
Patrick Wilkes-Krier, (-5) 66-69=135
Charlie Danielson (a), (-1) 69-70=139
Notables who failed to qualify: Tony Finau (-1, lost 2-for-1 playoff), Brian Stuard (Even), Zac Blair (+1), Troy Merritt (+3), Jamie Sadlowski (+8)

Germantown Country Club/Ridgeway Country Club, Memphis, Tenn.
Andres Gonzales, (-11) 64-67=131
D.J. Trahan, (-11) 69-62=131
Tom Hoge, (-8) 67-67=134
Derek Fathauer, (-7) 69-66=135
Andrew Landry (-7) 68-67=135
Dicky Pride, (-7) 67-68=135
J.J. Henry, (-7) 67-68=135
David Toms, (-7) 66-69=135
Sung Kang, (-6) 67-69=136
Sam Burns (a), (-6) 67-69=136
Notables who failed to qualify: Brian Gay (-6, lost 6-for-2 playoff), Robert Garrigus (-6, lost 6-for-2 playoff), Ryan Palmer (-5), Scott Stallings (-5), Steve Stricker (-5), Robert Allenby (-3), Ben Crane (-2), Lee McCoy (+2)

Lakeside Country Club, Houston, Texas
Kevin Tway, (-7) 71-66=137
Derek Chang, (-7) 69-68=137
Austin Jordan, (-7) 67-70=137
Notables who failed to qualify: James Driscoll (-4), Edward Loar (-3), Brad Dalke (a) (+4)

Royal Oaks Country Club, Vancouver, Wash.
Aaron Wise (a), (-9) 67-68=135
Travis Howe, (-7) 70-67=137
Matt Marshall, (-6) 71-67=138
Notables who failed to qualify: Austin Connelly (-6, lost 2-for-1 playoff), Nick Taylor (Even), Brock Mackenzie (+2), Sulman Raza (a) (+12)

What are we looking for at Oakmont? All the write ups talk about putting/length (with the obligatory church pews reference). Sounds like a venue for the world no 1 and Spieth.

Someone who hits the fairways #ALLTHETIME.....GIR's would also help.....sadly KJ failed to qualify in Columbus

The last amateur to win was John Goodman in 1933. The last amateur in the top 15 was Spencer Levin (T13) at Shinnecock Hills in 2004.

Tee times:

6:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Denny McCarthy; Aron Price; Mikael Lundberg

6:56 a.m. / 12:41 p.m. – (a) Nick Hardy; TBD; Tom Hoge

7:07 a.m. / 12:52 p.m. – Patrick Rodgers; (a) Sam Horsfield; Andrew Johnston

7:18 a.m. / 1:03 p.m. – Justin Hicks; Soren Hansen; Jason Allred

7:29 a.m. / 1:14 p.m. – Romain Wattel; Sung Kang; Yusaku Miyazato

7:40 a.m. / 1:25 p.m. – Bernd Wiesberger; Matteo Manassero; Daniel Berger

7:51 a.m. / 1:36 p.m. – Matt Kuchar; Bubba Watson; Patrick Reed

8:02 a.m. / 1:47 p.m. – Rafa Cabrera Bello; J.B. Holmes; Kevin Chappell

8:13 a.m. / 1:58 p.m. – Matthew Fitzpatrick; Danny Lee; Byeong Hun An

8:24 a.m. / 2:09 p.m. – Rory McIlroy; Danny Willett; Rickie Fowler

8:35 a.m. / 2:20 p.m. – Chris Kirk; Emiliano Grillo; Shane Lowry

8:46 a.m. / 2:31 p.m. – Mike Miller; Matthew Borchert; (a) Charlie Danielson

8:57 a.m. / 2:42 p.m. – Chase Parker; (a) Ryan Stachler; Patrick Wilkes-Krier

Thursday (June 16), hole No. 10 / Friday (June 17), hole No. 1

6:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Andres Gonzales; (a) Scottie Scheffler; Derek Fathauer

6:56 a.m. / 12:41 p.m. – Andrew Landry, Austin; Matthew Baldwin; D.J. Trahan

7:07 a.m. / 12:52 p.m. – Rob Oppenheim; Dicky Pride; Wes Short Jr.

7:18 a.m. / 1:03 p.m. – Patton Kizzire; Yuta Ikeda; David Lingmerth

7:29 a.m. / 1:14 p.m. – Hideto Tanihara; Gregory Bourdy; Kevin Streelman

7:40 a.m. / 1:25 p.m. – (a) Jon Rahm; James Hahn; Robert Streb

7:51 a.m. / 1:36 p.m. – Thomas Aiken; Jeff Maggert; David Toms

8:02 a.m. / 1:47 p.m. – Marc Leishman; Jimmy Walker; Paul Casey

8:13 a.m. / 1:58 p.m. – Lee Westwood; Luke Donald; Martin Kaymer

8:24 a.m. / 2:09 p.m. – Russell Knox; Harris English; Jason Dufner

8:35 a.m. / 2:20 p.m. – Zach Johnson; Bryson DeChambeau; Jordan Spieth

8:46 a.m. / 2:31 p.m. – TBD; Gregor Main; Mark Anguiano

8:57 a.m. / 2:42 p.m. – (a) Kyle Mueller; Derek Chang; Richie Schembechler

Thursday (June 16), hole No. 1 / Friday (June 17), hole No. 10

12:30 p.m. / 6:45 a.m. – Peter Hanson; Tim Wilkinson; Thitiphun Chuayprakong

12:41 p.m. / 6:56 a.m. – Billy Hurley III; Jeev Milkha Singh; J.J. Henry

12:52 p.m. / 7:07 a.m. – Brendan Steele; Soren Kjeldsen; Jaco Van Zyl

1:03 p.m. / 7:18 a.m. – Anirban Lahiri; Scott Piercy; Jamie Donaldson

1:14 p.m. / 7:29 a.m. – Spencer Levin; Toru Taniguchi; Carlos Ortiz

1:25 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Ryan Moore; Andrew Sullivan; Charley Hoffman

1:36 p.m. / 7:51 a.m. – Hideki Matsuyama; Sergio Garcia; Dustin Johnson

1:47 p.m. / 8:02 a.m. – Webb Simpson; Graeme McDowell; Geoff Ogilvy

1:58 p.m. / 8:13 a.m. – Ernie Els; Jim Furyk; Angel Cabrera

2:09 p.m. / 8:24 a.m. – Kiradech Aphibarnrat; K.T. Kim; Kevin Na

2:20 p.m. / 8:35 a.m. – Jason Day; Louis Oosthuizen; Adam Scott

2:31 p.m. / 8:46 a.m. – Aaron Wise; Ethan Tracy; Brandon Harkins

2:42 p.m. / 8:57 a.m. – (a) Justin Suh; T.J. Howe; Frank Adams III

Thursday (June 16), hole No. 10 / Friday (June 17), hole No. 1

12:30 p.m. / 6:45 a.m. – Lee Slattery; Miguel Tabuena; TBD

12:41 p.m. / 6:56 a.m. – Sebastian Soderberg; TBD; Kent Bulle

12:52 p.m. / 7:07 a.m. – TBD; Alex Noren; Jason Kokrak

1:03 p.m. / 7:18 a.m. – Max Kieffer; Gary Stal; Kevin Tway

1:14 p.m. / 7:29 a.m. – Cameron Smith; Steven Bowditch; (a) Derek Bard

1:25 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Jim Herman; Smylie Kaufman; TBD

1:36 p.m. / 7:51 a.m. – Brandt Snedeker; Bill Haas; Billy Horschel

1:47 p.m. / 8:02 a.m. – Brooks Koepka; Chris Wood; Justin Thomas

1:58 p.m. / 8:13 a.m. – Kevin Kisner; Charl Schwartzel; Branden Grace

2:09 p.m. / 8:24 a.m. – Phil Mickelson; Justin Rose; Henrik Stenson

2:20 p.m. / 8:35 a.m. – Retief Goosen; Keegan Bradley; Lucas Glover

2:31 p.m. / 8:46 a.m. – Andy Pope; (a) Sam Burns; Matt Marshall

2:42 p.m. / 8:57 a.m. – Tyler Raber; (a) Christopher Crawford; Austin Jordan

coudnt resist backing cabrera 500/1 ew corals so far

who you backing catch?

Retief Goosen
210 (been matched at 400)

Playing consistently well..has made 11 cuts out of 11,form figures read 18..12..14..72..66..21..46..11..43..45..51.
The two time US Open winner is back playing some decent golf and there looks worse bets to give you a run for the money at the prices.He's also been a top ten golfer in majors 16 times.

Admittedly his previous US Open Oakmont appearance was a missed cut, but his putting stats etc will stand him in good stead this week as I feel apart from the two or three obvious candidates..experienced players could come to the fore.



David Toms 
500

Similar to Retief this previous major winner is in decent nick right now. He's made the cut in 7 out of his last 8 starts. Form figures read 18..25..MC..71..36..14..33..39.
Toms has previously gone well at Oakmont..5th in US Open 2007. He is also a very good big tournament player...11 top ten finishes in majors. With plenty of bunkers at Oakmont, no one is better than Toms if sand saves are required this week. Again he could be in the mix as less experienced or wayward types will no doubt struggle here.


Jim Furyk
120 (been matched at 180)

Furyk does well in the US Open at Oakmont..2nd in 2007 & 28th in 1994.
The 2003 US Open champion has recovered from a wrist injury which sidelined him for four months & with his liking for the course could go well here. He also has 22 top ten finishes in majors.


Yes, I'm going for a 47 year old, a 49 year old and a young 45 year old ....but Jason Day apart at the head of the market or Bubba...for Oakmont I'm leaving out the rookies & I think the three 'oldies' above can make the cut and possibly get in amongst it come next weekend.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGkW7J7lSoz/
http://www.golfdigest.com/story/this-rickie-fowler-video-proves-oakmonts-greens-are-rolling-at-ridiculous-speeds

It is going to be madness.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGkXqYuoOOT/

rhino--holy smoke--rough brutal

Did you see the roll out on those greens

that's wrong--ball crawling doesn't stop

Really keen on Lee Westwood @ 100 (will be the first time I've backed him I think.
He had a great record in the US Open before his slump in form a couple of seasons ago and is back playing very consistently again so should be well suited to the demands of Oakmont.

i love the pure brutality of the US open.......these guys need to suffer sometime........would prefer if it was made difficult in terms of rough and narrow fairways rather than overfast greens though...........dont like to see players get punished by hitting good shots.

on that reconing b.d.j. rory will struggle.

Spencer Levin €51 at 1000

followed him around gullane 1 years ago trying to qualify muirfield,very funny guy,kinda like Trevino

Not posted on here in yonks but a couple of biggies from me
The US Open is undoubtedly one of my favourite golf events of the year and this year looks to be better than most with Oakmont probably playing like an absolute beast. With plenty of players likely to be out of it very early I am only going to put two players up to start with as I feel there could be plenty of opportunity in running. Whilst I have never tipped the outright winner I have enjoyed my two biggest ever paydays in golf in this event with Mediate and Michael Thompson so here goes.
Opinions are divided as to whether distance off the tee or accuracy will be key with the rough so tough - in theory the further you hit the less accurate you are and you will be hitting shots in from the rough but not have so far, the more accurate you are you will be hitting it from a long way back - so it's a bit swings and roundabouts so I have gone for one big hitter and one accurate player!
Despite having a few niggling injuries JB Holmes has been having a very consistent season - 6th at Torrey Pines and Scottsdale, 4th at the US Masters and bounced back to form with 4th at Muirfield Village and that follows a solid 2015 with a win and two runner-up slots. I don't have to tell anyone he can hit it off the tee as he consistently ranks in the top two or three on tour every year. What I liked about him also is that he may well have fond memories of the course when in 2003 as a relatively unknown amateur he was medalist in the strokeplay section of the US Amateur having shot the low round of 70 around here. I just think at the price for someone who has become a far more consistent player he is worth a crack £30 ew 100/1 1/4 6 + £20 120 Betfair.
My second pick will take a hell of a lot more explaining and I am sure people are saying Billy Hurley III ??? Well I was initially drawn to him when I noticed he was 2nd to Holmes in 2003 in the strokeplay although his better round came on the other course used and he shot 74 round Oakmont. At the time he was in the top six in the World Amateur rankings but pursued a naval career rather than golf so came to the game quite late in the end. I have noticed most of his best results have tended to be on the Eastern seaboard - it is where he feels most comfortable - born in Virginia, he lives in Maryland where he spent his naval career not a million miles away from Pittsburgh.
Two of his best results on the Web.com tour came at Southpointe Pennsylvania when 5th and 10th but undoubtedly two of his best PGA performances came at another US Open venue Congressional in Maryland where he has been 4th and 8th in two visits. Reading quotes from those two starts he clearly likes playing tough courses and playing near home. He re-iterated that fact when he won his sectional qualifier in Maryland by three strokes last week. To re-emphasise his liking for tough tracks - his best Web.com finish was 2nd at Victoria National and he has also been 5th in the Honda Classic on the main tour @ PGA National
On the stats front - he is a short hitter but is very accurate and he has got that accuracy back in his last two starts - finishing 3rd and 9th in Driving Accuracy in those two. I think one key stat this week could well be three putt avoidance - he is 6th in that category this year and was 3rd last year
I always try and find some sort of other fact to back things up and I guess this is spurious and only really counts if he is in contention on Sunday which is Fathers Day in the USA. Some of you may remember the story of his Dad going missing last year and sadly taking his own life. Hurley may have his mind on other things on Sunday (often not a bad thing) and there wouldn't be a dry eye in the house considering events in his life this past year £10 ew 1000/1 1/5 7 £10 ew 1000/1 1/4 6 £10 win 1000 Betfair £10 ew 500/1 FRL

agree with jb

Oakmont yielded the first 63 in a major championship, when Johnny Miller surged from six strokes behind to win the 1973 US Open.

He was assisted by uncharacteristically soft greens, (a greenkeeper accidentally left sprinklers on overnight) but it is still, arguably, the greatest round ever played.

My picks  McIlroy win 15/2  Fowler e/w 33/1 Stenson  e/w 40/1 Matsuyama e/w 33/1  An 125/1 e/w

Really  looking forward to this love the majors thats when the cream comes to the top, Rory istart to hit top form at the right time Rickie is  struggling a bit  but 33's looks great value has a point to prove  after poor masters effort Byeong hun is player for the future but worth a play at a massive price while Henrrik & Hideki are fairly consistent and both look to have very  decent chances.

hideki has a high gir which will be a big help around here

Good to hear fm you , t m m .
read your write ups a lot.

Tough nut to crack this. Easy to think putting is hugely important, but the greens are that ridiculous putting looks a lottery. Same with scrambling, the rough looks so bad they will all struggle no matter how good. Patience is probably the key, and a simple fairways and greens approach. Think Dufner is a great bet at the odds, nothing fazes him and he hits fairways and greens. Good form, and the last two Opens that were played on classical layouts he was in the mix at Merion and Olympic he was right there.

Ze German is a must at 75s as well, rounded back into form nicely and we know he can win this event and has the required patience. We haven't seen his best since the 3rd round in that Abu Dhabi fiasco, but if he brings it then the price is huge.

Large positions on those 2 and Koepka, backed Day with profits made elsewhere, and traded Kuch, Sneds, Leishman, Kirk, Horschel and Thomas thus far.

And welcome back Muppet

looking forward to this proper test of golf.
after backing b grace last year and playing so well until that tee shot at 16 cost him and me dear, got to go in again.
others backed
m kuchar
c schwartzel
b snedeker

good luck all.

I am with you Ashleigh with regards to Grace who is my main fancy.

Others in my team include McDowell, Goosen, RCB, and Thomas Aiken who I think will do well.

I have also taken the muppet's advice and had a cheeky e/w on Billy Hurley.

I much prefer watching the pros play these really hard courses and think we are in for a treat.

Good luck all.

Have Z Johnson and Duffman so far at tasty odds

Louis Oosthuizen@90/1

ash --grace drive on 16th--train tracks--slice--right

anywhere left ok

he would of at least made the playoff

seen alot of people putting up kaymer but if you dont just follow a team and study the course etc surely the last name anyone should put up is kaymer,he darnt even get the pitching wedges out of the bag around the greens,probably dot up now but cant have it myself

dusty 14,s
mattsyam 33
kouch 35
jb holmes 66
grillo 150
westy 70
all ew 1st 6

Nice to see a little write up from TMM, and in the same spirit I'll put up one I quite like the look of.

As he says, this could go either way between the bombers and the fairway finders.  Angel certainly comes into the former category but I still feel like there ought to be a slight advantage for the fairway finders:  they will be used to hitting long approaches on hard holes, but the bombers won't be used to gouging it out of rough that thick- from the looks of the rough it could be a hack out and a scramble no matter how close you are wheareas damp conditions might make greens a touch more receptive for those hitting lengthy shots from the fairway.

Since it could go either way I had a look at the Total Driving stat, and the name that stands out is Emiliano Grillo, who is 3rd Total Driving, 7th in Accuracy and an acceptable 70th in distance.  He's been up and down since winning at the start of the season but showed well at Memorial, and if we're looking for a TMM-style extra factor, he will of course be able to take inspiration and advice from his countryman who won here last time out.  For me looks a good bet at 200.

Looks like the early thursday starters may catch a break with the draw.

If the forecast rain comes tonight and thursday then the rough is going to be even more brutal and getting it in play will be at a premium.

Rhino, I take your points about the difficulty of the greens but the winner will have to putt well. That could be someone who has a good week but at the weekend i suspect they will be very difficult and someone who can hole out well inside 10ft will be key.

Going to a week to bet in play for me, key factors ill be looking for are driving accuracy, patience and putting especially thursday and friday.

Have read the USGA have taken the rough from 6 inches to 4 inches after the players whinged.

great England/Wales game is early so I can watch golf uninterrupted

Best starting position ever for me, hope it's worth something on Monday.

Day +2K
DJ +3.6K
Hideki +3.8K
Stenson +200
Kuch +5.4K
Bubba +480
Koepka +22K
Kaymer +9.5K
Sneds +8K
Horschel +3.2K
Leishman +16.4K
JB +2.8K
Dufner +15K
Thomas +4.1K
Kirk +3.2K
Kokrak +1.8K

I think all top players agree that it will be much easier, if it rains.

i,m with the bet inplay boys here, having no real idea as
to what will work for who, except that jason day should
be well suited

ponce should be suited too, but the putting might be a big
issue

indeed its possibly who putts best out of those that strike it well
that will prevail

274 looks a decent score

love the majors

g/l all

Sounds like a damp course with a strong chance of delays from 2-3pm their time.

damp good for greens,but terrible for roungh

The bad news for the shorter, more accurate players is less roll on the fairway but at least the greens will receive longer shots better and you certainly don't want to be in the rough.  At least the rain should prevent the USGA making it a complete farce, but I'm sure they'll do their best.

2 guys under par.  USGA convening a meeting.

2 birdies on first holes and 4 pars,

course must be too easy

so the only shot tracker is the text on usopen.com? (shots&stats)

Rain's made a huge difference, apparently the greens have lost a foot of speed.  Low scores today, but just means the USGA will turn even more nasty over the weekend.

http://www.usopen.com/en_US/scoring/index.html

Soft conditions at a US Open? Adding McIlroy...

live video working on usopen.com website

rory looking good on practice ground

so did tiger

on red button sky 4 now

showing rory 124pm

terrible start for my guys

Holy smokes... muppet is back and here I was thinking muppet died of old age when one stopped posting.