The last putts have dropped. The scorecards signed. And for the lucky ones, the champagne has been popped. Now, it's time to look back on the weekend that was, the week ahead, and all the birdies and bogeys in between.
I hate to say it but ... Ho hum.
Don’t get me wrong: Angel Cabrera earned the U.S. Open title. He knew Tiger and Furyk were hot on his tail, and he didn’t buckle. And that’s not as cliché as it sounds – heck, Aaron Baddeley buckled on the first hole.
But this was Oakmont.
Oakmont! Tommy Armour, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller (with a 63!) won there. It’s the cruelest, nastiest U.S. Open venue ... ever. It’s where legends march confidently across the most devilish greens on the planet and rise to its toughest challenge.
With that backdrop, it just felt like we deserved something magic. Some history. That, “I remember where I was when ...” moment. Instead, the thing I’ll remember most is that I learned Cabrera’s nickname is “El Pato.” The Duck.
(Well, that and NBC reminding us that Johnny Miller won in 1973 by shooting a 63.)
Somehow, the Duck waddled past Tiger and Furyk. Congrats are certainly in order ... but is it weird that I feel more disappointed than anything else?
•••
This just in: Tiger Woods is the most fun golfer to watch in the world.
Saturday’s ball striking exhibition will become a great trivia question: In what major did Tiger Woods hit 17 greens in regulation?
(Bonus question: How many putts did he take in that third round? 35. 35?? No wonder he didn’t win this thing.)
And on Sunday, Woods provided the only real electricity when he HAD to make birdie in his final two holes. Didn’t it feel like he was going to do it? Even though his short game was not up to his usual otherworldly standard, didn’t you just think he was going to make it happen? Did you know Johnny Miller shot 63 to win the 1973 U.S. Open?
•••
I will give the Duck credit for one thing: At least he knocked Phil Mickelson’s wrist out of the tournament.
By Friday, I was expecting ESPN to have an hour-long “Outside the Lines” special on history’s most influential wrist injuries, complete with photo montage of Phil’s wrist throughout his career, and finishing it off with a Jeremy Schaap exclusive interview with Phil’s wrist brace.
ESPN actually had a “sideline reporter” at the driving range, giving us constant updates on Phil’s wrist.
Chris Berman: “Let’s go to Wendy Nix with the latest on Phil Mickelson’s wrist. Wendy?”
Wendy Nix: “Hi, Chris. I just spoke with one of Phil’s 14 wrist specialists, and word is, his wrist hurts.”
Berman: “Wow! What do you think of that, Roger ‘Chocolate’ Maltbie?”
Maltbie: “Did you guys know Johnny Miller shot 63 to win the 1973 U.S. Open?”
Cabrera’s birdie on No. 18 Friday moved the cut line up one, and Lefty’s story, mercifully, was over. Unfortunately, Phil’s wrist is in the field at this week’s Travelers Championship. You have been warned.
•••
You probably missed it, but they played a Nationwide Tour event last week too. And it turned out to be pretty good.
Chris Riley – yes, the same Chris Riley who asked out of the afternoon session in the 2004 Ryder Cup because he was “tired” – has resurfaced. He has been struggling the last few years, finishing 150th on the PGA Tour money list last year to lose his status. But on Sunday, he clutched up and won the Rochester Area Charities Showdown at Somerby in a two-hole playoff.
And he had to beat Jamie Lovemark, the 19-year-old hot shot freshman out of Southern California who was just two weeks removed from winning the individual NCAA championship and earning
Golfweek’s player of the year honors.
In related news, NBC is reporting that Johnny Miller never shot 63 to win the Rochester Area Charities Showdown at Somerby.
•••
On to the Travelers Championship, the latest incarnation of the Greater Hartford Open.
Sounds crazy, but it’s time you guys started listening to these fantasy picks. The Trailer is hot! Woods and Furyk were strong at the Open – yeah, I really went out on a limb there – so let’s see if we can keep the magic touch.
•
Vijay Singh – While ESPN, MSNBC, Golf Channel and Lifetime might have satellites trained on Phil’s wrist, Veej will quietly do his thing. And probably win.
•
Carl Pettersson – His T-31 at last year’s edition may not be sexy, but sometimes, the sports car just isn’t what you need. He’s missed one cut in his last 14 events, with seven top-25 finishes in that span. He’s the Volvo of the PGA Tour.
•
Hunter Mahan – Sleeper alert! Mahan has all the numbers you want: He is coming off a sneaky tie for 13th at the Open, and he rung up a tie for second at this event last year. I will accept baked, chocolatey goods as a thank you.
OK everyone, thanks for stopping by the Trailer. Until next week, keep it in the short grass or keep it in a tall glass. Oh, and one more thing: Did you know that NBC’s Johnny Miller won the 1973 U.S. Open with a 63????
Posted: 6/17/2007
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