Green Posse

The Mickelson bashing has started, but I’m not convinced Phil collapsed. There were only two questionable shots that made me wince; one was the attempted 4-wood out of the rough that he tried to hit like a lob wedge, the other was the driver from the 18th tee. If he hits 4-wood off the tee, he probably makes par, bogey for sure and is in the playoff. Other than those two miscues, Phil was Phil and you can’t fault him for resorting to his style of play. Overall, he played very patiently, but no doubt felt the …read more

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Let it be said here that Phil Mickelson didn’t give away the U.S. Open.  As was  written yesterday, this U.S. Open was a matter of attrition and Geoff Olgivy was the last man standing after all was said and done.  Yes, Mickelson played some suspect shots coming down the stretch, but so did Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington, and Jim Furyk.  Each of those had a chance to at least force a playoff, but none executed when it counted.
It will also be written that this could be Massacre II at Winged Foot, implying that the course brought the players to their …read more

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For the first time in recent memory, it’s pretty much anyone’s tournament heading into the 4th and final round of the U.S. Open.  Yes, Phil Mickelson’s tied for the lead, but because the course is playing so difficult, even he could get derailed at any time during the round.  Mickelson is tied with journeyman Kenneth Ferrie (who?) from England, with Geoff Ogilvy one shot back and Colin Montgomerie, Ian Poulter, Vijay Singh, and Steve Stricker only three back.
Mickelson played a shaky front side, but came back with birdies on 14 and 16 to shoot 1-under 69.  Steve Stricker struggled throughout …read more

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Not entirely surpisingly, Tiger Woods missed his first cut at a major championship by shooting another 76 that left him at 12-over par, 3 shots over the cut line.  However, Winged Foot showed no favorites as past champions Michael Campbell, and Retief Goosen also missed playing the weekend.
As was predicted by many, Woods’ 9-week layoff was too much to overcome, especially on a U.S. Open course.  He would have had trouble playing one of the lower-tiered tournaments, never mind trying to come back for the ‘Open.  You could see it in his eyes early in the 2nd round that he …read more

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Colin Montgomerie shot a a 1-under 69 and was the only player to break par on the first day of the U.S. Open being played at Winged Foot and leads a group of 5 that shot even par.  Phil Mickelson is in the group at even par and is very content with his even par round.  Not suprisingly, Tiger Woods struggled and shot a 6-over 76 and finds himself 7 back heading into day 2.  While 7 shots is not an impossible deficit to overcome, this IS the U.S. Open and assuming a score around even par wins on Sunday, …read more

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Golf is probably the hardest sport to pick winners for simply because it’s really not a head-to-head competition. Tiger couldn’t body-slam Phil on the ice, nor could Vijay blind-side Ernie for a loss. Too bad because it would make for good some good golf! However, it’s customary for everyone to pick potential winners in any kind of sporting event and golf is no different. My picks:

1.
Vijay Singh
Vijay is way overdue to win another major and he’s hot off a win and coming in full of confidence.

2.
Phil Mickelson
He’s the sentimental favorite, but I’m not convinced he has …read more

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PGA
It’s never too early to begin the hype for the 106th U.S. Open, being played at famed Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York. All the buzz so far has been around Tiger Woods and his return to competitive golf, his first tournament since his Father passed away on May 3rd.
Tiger is famous for his press conferences leaving most of the media to come up with their own interpretations on what he said, since he holds his cards very close to the vest. However, on Tuesday he spoke candidly about “Dad”, and their relationship and how he shaped …read more

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LPGA
Se Ri Pak surprised everyone by coming from behind to win in a playoff in the LPGA McDonalds Championship on Sunday. Pak defeated Karrie Webb on the first playoff hole by sticking her 2nd shot about three inches from the pin. Webb could have extended the playoff by making her birdie attempt, but it was not to be for the surging Webb. This was definitely like old times with Pak and Webb going head-to-head in the playoff; the only thing missing to make it complete was Annia Sorenstam.
Michelle Wie shot an even par 72, but left numerous …read more

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PGA
Billy Andrade is the surprise 54-hole leader at the Barclays Classic in Harrison, New York, just a few miles from next week’s U.S. Open venue. It’s been six years since Andrade last won at Las Vegas in 2000, but he feels he has what it takes to close the deal tomorrow. However, Vijay Singh and Adam Scott are only one back and both are extremely capable of putting together final round pressure on the leader.
LPGA
Michelle Wie missed an 18-inch par putt on the 17th hole at the LPGA’s McDonald’s Championship that ultimately would have tied her for the …read more

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Is it me, or is Steve Duemig got some real issues with women? It’s obvious he doesn’t like Michelle Wie, but I thought he was more professional than he’s been showing on the Golf Channel’s Grey Goose 19th Hole. A couple of weeks ago, he guaranteed that Wie wouldn’t qualify for the U.S. Open, but if she did, Deumig would wear a hula skirt and matching top as part of a bet. Though it was all in fun, there’s been an underlying current of real distaste for Wie that started last year because of all the sponsor’s …read more

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