Tiger Woods owns twelve acres of land on South Beach Road in Jupiter Island, Florida which spans from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean. The property contains the main home, a beach home, two guest houses and two boat docks. It also has a basketball court, volleyball and tennis courts and a golf hole. He paid $38 million in January 2006 for the property. It was the largest single residential sale in Marin County, Florida history.
On Friday, one of the guest houses was struck by lightning, caught fire and was destroyed. Marin County Fire Rescue spokesman, Jim Loffredo, said, "We arrived, the house was heavily involved. Flames were coming out through the roof. The house was pretty much engulfed in fire." To watch a 45 second video about the fire with Jim Loffredo, paste this in your address bar: http://multimedia.tcpalm.com/video/?vid=1284
No one was at the house when the fire erupted. The house was closed and shuttered. It is believed that the property destroyed inside the home belonged to the former owner who was still leasing the property as a vacation home.
The Jupiter Island home is just across the Intracoastal Waterway from the home of golfer, Jasper Parvenik and his wife, Mia. Tiger's wife, Elin, was the Parveniks' nanny when she met Tiger in 2003. Others who live in the exclusive community north of Miami include Celine Dion and golfers Greg Norman and Nick Price.
Woods actually lives full time in Isleworth, a gated upscale community in southwest Orlando. He also owns a home in southern California and a lot at 3 Creeks Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Fire Destroys Tiger Woods' Guest House
on Saturday, June 30, 2007
Noone really is surprised that Michelle Wie is gone from the Women's US Open. However, rather than let her play speak for itself -- she simply quit playing citing a wrist injury. When she quit, she was 146th out of 155 competitors.
On the first day of play, Wie shot an 82. On the second round, she was 6 over after playing the back nine. On the first tee, her ball landed in the rough after her drive. She took one more shot, approached a USGA official and walked off of the course. She says she aggravated her wrist, which she injured in January.
Three Way tie for lead at Buick Open
on Friday, June 29, 2007
Three players are tied for the lead at the Buick Open. Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry and Brett Quigley all sit at a 10 under - 134. Rocco Mediate, Scott Verplank and Brian Bateman are all tied only one stroke behind the leaders.
Kenny Perry has had a bad week. His wife was sent to the hospital on Wednesday with food poisoning. Thursday, two of his balls hit two fans. One shattered a woman's nose. The second hit a man's shoulder.
Not making the cut at the Buick Open: #6 in FedEx Cup points, Charles Howell, III and #17 in world golf ranking, Trevor Immelman.
Mediate Leads after first round at Buick Open
on Thursday, June 28, 2007
Rocco Mediate had a bogey free round, had 8 birdies and shot a 64 to take a one stroke lead after the first round of play at the Buick Open. It was his lowest score on the PGA Tour in four years.
Mediate won the Buick Open in 2000. Mediate now makes his home in Venice, Florida. He grew up in Greensburg, PA.
Three players, Woody Austin, Brett Quigley and Brian Bateman, are one stroke behind Mediate.
Jim Furyk is tied with four other players with a score of 66.
Bruce Vaughan is new to the Champions Tour. He is having one memorable week.
1. On Tuesday, he had a hole in one on the 14th hole of the Eisenhower Course and shot an 8-under 64.
2. He qualified for the Commerce Bank Championship.
3. He qualified for the 156 man field for the US Senior Open at Whistling Straights.
4. On Wednesday, he played the Red Course at Eisenhower Park. He had another hole in one; this time on the par 3 fifth using an 8 iron.
If you are counting, that is two holes in one in two days.
Tiger Woods will play in his Inaugural Event
on Wednesday, June 27, 2007Tiger Woods will play at the AT & T National from July 5 - 8 at the Congressional Country Club. The official announcement will happen within 48 hours.
Also playing in the event will be Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Adam Scott and Vijay Singh.
Woods is the host of the event which will benefit his foundation, the Tiger Woods Foundation.
If you are planning to golf in Florida, it is important that you obey warning signs regarding alligators.
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Move over Tadd, Alexis Thomson is in U.S. Women's Open
on Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Just in 2006, Hawaiian Tadd Fujikawa became the youngest male to qualify to the USGA's U.S. Open. Fujikawa, who made a cut in a PGA Tour event this year, was only 15 years old. In Southern Pines, North Carolina, American twelve year old Alexis Thomson became the youngest qualifier to the U.S. Women's Open in history.
two are hardly similar.Think the miniature golf course is good, safe fun? Think again. On June 21st, a man came cutting through hedges which bordered the golf course using a machete. The patrons of Sir Goony's Fun Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee were frightened by the man, Paul Ralph Vandiver, who was covered in silver paint from "huffing."
However, the man wasn't scaring children without a purpose: he was searching for his pet raccoons according theChattanoogan.com. Vandiver will spend approximately one year in a workhouse.
Note to self: always have a safety plan in case of the attack of a psychotic killer out of a horror movie when playing mini-golf.
The next stop on my Florida golf trip after Disney's Osprey Ridge was Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch. Legacy Golf Club, located in an area populated by numerous upscale private and public courses, is one of Florida's most intriguing courses. According to oobgolf.com, "Offering a level of service and conditions found at world-class private facilities, this award-winning Arnold Palmer-designed course, managed by Troon Golf®, has quickly earned its reputation as one of the premier courses in Southwest Florida." The course is in great shape, especially since it is still relatively new, and shows great similarities to other Arnold Palmer designs. Legacy is located in Bradenton, Florida, which is near Sarasota, and around an hour away from Tampa Bay.
Legacy Golf Club may be summarized in three words: water and bunkers. Massive bodies of water come into play on 17 of Legacy's 18 holes, all of which have a unique name. However, if golfers have the ability to avoid spraying shots, the King's course can be tamed. After I hit nine fairways and eight greens on the back nine of Legacy, I was able to walk away with a 37, which I was pleased with.
The first hole is known as "The Legacy," which includes a 223 yard tee shot over fescue and water onto the fairway. The hole plays at 454 yards from the black tees, which is recommended only for low single digit golfers. However, from all tees, water lines the entire right side of the hole, culminating in an undulating green with an extremely deep bunker on the left side of the green.
The rest of th
e front nine plays much like the first hole. Trouble on both sides of the fairway, large, undulating greens, and bunkers to catch sprayed shots. Hackers ought to beware Legacy, while better players will likely thrive. This is the case on the third hole, named "Lake Uihlein," which is forces golfers to tee off onto an island where the entire fairway and green is located. Players must hit a short way to reach the island itself, which may scare most novice golfers. Even scarier is the bunker in the front right side of the green rolling straight into the water.
Following the third hole is the "Watering Hole," a 205 yard par 3 from the black tees with no landing area in front of the green. The only area which is safe to miss at is a small area behind the green. Less aggressive golfers may lay up to a narrow fairway on the right side of the tee box. However, golfers till are left with a tough pitch into the green, which, if struck too firmly, may easily roll right into the water.
The front nine culminates in a long par, which forces players to hit their approach shot almost entirely over water. "Lack Schroeder" plays at 428 yards from the black tees, but may punish golfers with three bunkers on the left side complemented by water extremely near the fairway sloping toward it.
The risk reward style of Legacy continues into the back nine. Hole 11, titled "Split Oasis", forces golfers to choose to play a safe drive, which leaves a long approach into the green, or a tough drive onto a narrow fairway, which leaves a wedge into the green. In between the split fairways is a giant bunker ranging across the entire hole. Additionally, small patches of turf are randomly placed to further punish the aggressive player.
"Seven Sisters," the 14th hole, is a 565 yard par 5 with a bunker placed perfectly in the landing area. For golfers fortunate enough to miss that bunker, the seven bunkers for which this hole was named look to spoil good rounds. Water and bunkers surround the right side of the green, so golfers who wind up in the seven sisters will be forced to lay up.
Coming down the stretch, the 17th hole, called "Arnie's Island," is a short par 3, which resembles TPC at Sawgrass's famed 17th. The hole is short, playing at 151 yards from the black tees, but is made especially difficult with high winds due to a lack of protection by trees.
For golfers who escape Arnie's Island, the 18th features more split fairways. "Homestead" requires golfers to fire over water, a gigantic bunker, and then escape a looming waste bunker surrounding the right side of the hole.
Overall, Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood is a tough test of golf. The course allows for players to get hot an have a great round, or struggle with their sprayed shots. Every tee shot and approach shot is challenged, so the round will constantly remain exciting. Plus, the island green coming down the stretch is highly enjoyable and does resemble TPC at Sawgrass's island par 3. However, the greens were slower than expected when I played there, but a worker informed me the area was in need of water. If the greens match how well the rest of the course was maintained, it may be one of the best tests of golf in the entire state of Florida. ZealousGolfer.com gives Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood 4.5 out of 5 stars for exciting play, a great design, and an all-around good golf atmosphere.
Layerco's Poly Max Extremes made a gigantic leap in popularity last month when they were featured in Golf World. Subsequently, ZealousGolfer.com became interested in seeing whether or not a sticker can change the ball flight of all golf clubs. The modest packaging of the "Extremes" claims to achieve "Extreme Ball Distance" by utilizing a greater "Sling shot effect." Most golfers at this point in time are familiar with the study of MOI (Moment of Inertia), which has been a major technological change in drivers, irons, and putters in the golf industry. However, for golfers looking to further maximize distance on mishit, and possibly hit their good shots farther, the Extremes could be the solution.
My Thoughts:
After receiving the product, I was a bit sceptical. After peeling off the first sticker and placing it on my driver, I was ready to see if I could achieve more distance (illegally). I was immediately surprised by the distance gain I experienced while using the Extremes. On mishits, such as off the toe side or heel side of the driver, I could reach almost the same distance as my normal good shots without the sticker. The distance gain is pretty obvious, and the increased MOI also helps to hit the ball straighter by lessening sidespin. Following my driver session, I decided to give the Extremes a chance with my irons. While I realized this was not what the Extremes
were designed for, could my entire set be made extremely long? Layerco, manufacturers of the Extremes, say, "Designed exclusively for all drivers & woods, you can use them on your Irons as well." The result of my irons was much more modest, but I did notice more solid ball flight on mishits as well. The actual distance gain on center hits seemed to be much more limited when compared with the results of my driver test. Additionally, the application of the Extreme to the irons is a bit more difficult, and should probably be cut down prior to being stuck on.
remely long shots on the range, or help out the short hitter during recreational rounds. A package of Poly Max Extremes consists of 18 stickers, which Layerco recommends using one per round of golf. Also, removal of the Extreme is better then expected, since there is no residue. Golfers may just peel the Extreme off, just as easily as they put it on. One pack of Poly Max Extremes costs $14.95 when ordered directly from Layerco. ZealousGolfer.com gives the Poly Max Extremes receive 3.5 out of 5 stars, because the product is effective in increasing distance, but is still illegal in tournament play, or for rounds where golfers plan to enter their scores for handicap reasons. Stack and Tilt v. Major Pressure
on Monday, June 25, 2007
Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett had to be excited about their star pupil, Aaron Baddeley, being in contention at the U.S. Open last week. Plummer and Bennett's famous "Stack and Tilt" swing had won numerous PGA Tour titles in addition to being implemented by several TOUR stars, but it had never faced major championship pressure.
"Best contact you've made this year Duval" remarked Frank the headcover for Tiger Woods in a memorable Nike Golf commercial. Unfortunately, the former British Open Champion's career is not looking much better. David Duval withdrew from the Open Championship while citing "personal reasons" for his failure to attend.
Duval has a single year left on the PGA Tour using exemptions from past success (he still may use his top 50 lifetime earnings exemption). However, the future looks dim for the former star. He will, of course, still retain his exemption into the Open Championship for many years to come as a result of his past victory. Though, Duval could continue to fade away from the golfing world and quit using that exemption.
When most think of the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, few envision one of America's top golf resorts. However, to complement the world's most famous theme parks, the folks at Disney have built several great golf courses which may be some of Orlando's most affordable when played at the right times. Somewhat surprisingly, the Walt Disney World Resort was placed in "The Top 100 Golf Resorts" by Golf Magazine. Recently, I was fortunate enough to get a shot at two of these courses on my Floridian vacation.
Disney has hosted professional golf events for over thirty years, and more impressively has found such vi
ctors as Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in those events. However, the current professional tournament, the season ending Disney Golf Classic, is played on Disney's Magnolia and Palm courses. The other two major eighteen hole golf courses are Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines. The two courses share the same upscale, contemporary style clubhouse, which features a restaurant, fully stocked proshop, and locker rooms.
The atmosphere at Osprey Ridge is just like any other golf resort, but with some Disney presence. Golfers may take pictures next to a humorous Mickey Mouse golf cart while Mickey is away. Outside of the Disney logo, the presence of the Disney parks is hardly felt. Many golfers will find the courses a welcome respite fr
om the tremendous crowds, high noise, fast pace, and high priced located at the Disney parks.
Golfers may utilize the several large putting greens, or hit balls upon arriving early to the course. However, for those golfers on tight budgets who absolutely must hit balls, watch out for the $7.50 price for 45 range balls. There are several other courses and driving ranges in the Orlando area if golfers are looking to hone their swings. The golf carts feature cutting edge Uplink GPS technology, which offers electronic score keeping, yardages from basically everywhere on the course, and graphic overviews of all eighteen holes.
The course was designed by Tom Fazio, who was the chief re-designer of Augusta National in their effort to modernize the course. Fazio's work on Osprey Ridge is quite similar to his other famous tracks. Osprey Ridge features great risk reward golf , proven by many accessible holes if players can clear or stay away from major trouble. On the third hole, a 193 yard par three from the tips, a massive bunker lines the entire hole and wraps around the right side of the green. The course's number one handicap hole, the par four 14th, features an extremely tough appro
ach shot with a long iron to a green which rolls toward a large body of water. Laying up is hardly an option with the best landing area threatened by more water as well as a large, deep bunker.
While the first hole at Osprey Ridge is relatively tame, the eighteenth is gorgeous lined by seven fairway bunkers down the right side, water lining the entire hole, and another tough bunker on the left side for players attempting to avoid the right side's trouble. Golfers must fire into an extremely narrow green, again lined by bunkers on both sides and water. The last hole plays at a massive 454 yards considering the danger which could potentially wreck many good rounds.
Overall, the course features may tough par 3's, several long par 4's, and rewarding par 5's. Any golfer can have fun at this course, but spraying shots will never yield good results. 
While the course is nicely manicured, some of the sand in the bunkers may be a bit too hard, and the greens are somewhat slow, even for a southern course. Also, for golfers who are easily disturbed by loud noises, the train at the Magic Kingdom blasts its siren-like horn constantly, audible for the entire back nine and most of the front nine. If frequent loud noises bother you, your round may be difficult. Luckily, it makes a great excuse for why you shanked that last shot.
From the four different tees, the yardages at Osprey Ridge are as follows:
1. Talon- 7101 Yards (3548/3553)
2. Crest - 6680 Yards (3324/3356)
3. Wings - 6103 Yards (2982/3121)
4. Feathers - 5402 Yards (2598/2804)
Unless you are planning to play several days, I would not recommend bringing your own clubs. Disney offers rentals
with an inventory of Titleist and Cobra sticks. However, the rentals are pricey, so if you do plan playing several days, it is probably worth lugging them down.
For anyone who has visited the Walt Disney World Resort, it is pretty obvious that basically nothing is cheap. For the most part, that theme still holds true in "The Happiest Place on Earth." However, I would recommend playing after 3 P.M., which means all golfers may pay $35 for an eighteen hole round with cart. The weather is usually cool at this time, and golfers may play while the rest of the family is resting after a long day at the parks. Prior to 3 P.M., the cost is 99$ for a WDW Resort Guest and $109 for non-WDW Resort Guests.
ZealousGolfer.com rates Disney's Osprey Ridge 4.5 out of 5 stars for decent price, good golf, and a great location.
For your first peek at Sam Alexis Woods and her adoring parents, Tiger and Elin, go to http://www.tigerwoods.com/. The child's first photos were published on the site. She is beautiful and looks tiny in her proud papa's hands. Photos include Mom Elin lovingly embracing both husband and child. Another with all three Woods' plus the family's two dogs, Taz, a border collie, and Yogi, a labradoodle. A third beautiful portrait of Tiger gazing adoringly at his daughter. Finally, there is one of Sam Alexis sleeping peacefully.
The photos are copyrighted by Tiger Woods and being distributed by wireimage.com.
Bear must have Missed the US Open
on Sunday, June 24, 2007
Any golf fan knows that Jack Nicklaus was not at last week's US Open. None the less, bears were spotted at Oakmont Country Club.
A mother black bear and her cub were spotted on the 4 par-7th hole between the fairway and the Pennsylvania turnpike. It was nearly noon, and play was well underway. However, no players were anywhere near the bears.
Hunter Mahan, 25, had never won a PGA event before. However, his history has changed by winning the 2007 Travelers Championship.
The win required facing Jay Williamson in one playoff hole. Mahan made quick work by making a birdie on the first hole of playoff competition.
Mahan earned about $1 million for the win. He also earned a spot at the 2008 Mercedes - Benz Championship in Hawaii and the 2008 Masters.
Williamson, although disappointed, must still be satisfied. Prior to the Travelers event, Williamson was 7th on the Nationwide Tour money list with about $150,000. He earned $648,000 for the Travelers second place finish. He now can compete in next week's Buick Open in Flint, Michigan.
Nick O'Hern took third place. Vijay Singh finished fourth.
FedEx Cup Point Standings
on Friday, June 22, 2007
- Tiger Woods
- Phil Mickelson
- Vijay Singh
- Zach Johnson
- Charles Howell III
- Rory Sabbatini
- Adam Scott
- Jim Furyk
- K.J. Choi
- Aaron Baddeley
Tiger Woods had decided to skip this year's Buick Invitational. He won the event last year. Woods is sponsored by Buick, however Buick has said the sponsorship does not require Woods to participate in Buick sponsored events.
Woods' first child, a daughter, was born on Monday. He has decided to miss the event to spend the first weeks of her life with her and her mother, Elin.
Cabrera Takes US Open Trophy Home to Argentina
on Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Tiger Cub is Born!!!!!
on Monday, June 18, 2007
Considering the US Open wasn't over until 7:30 pm Sunday evening -- Tiger had an eventful day.
At this point, every golf fan understands that Tiger Woods always equals big money. Tiger's role in elevating the world's interest in golf is undeniable. The purses today are commonly over $5 million on the PGA Tour, which means the winner today is taking home the amount given to the field thirty years ago. However, his effect on marketing may be even greater. Today, Tiger's face is on billboards, in airports, and in commercials at all times all over the world.
Of course, when Tiger is on the prowl, the world is always watching. According to the Golf Channel, "Sunday's final round on NBC earned a 7.0 overnight rating and a 17 share, up 37 percent from last year's 5.1/12 after Woods missed the cut. It was the best Sunday overnight rating since a 9.3/21 in 2002, when Woods won at Bethpage." While you may love or hate Tiger Woods, his presence has improved your game in some way.
With the number of golfers increasing highly since Tiger's arrival, more money is flowing to golf's major companies. Thus, Nike, Taylormade, Ping, and all the rest have been able to invest more in R&D, which leads to the major technological advancement occurring not coincidentally since Tiger's arrival on TOUR.
One way or another, golf needs Tiger.
Perhaps an even bigger at the US Open than Angel Cabrera are Oakmont Country Club and the USGA. Some amazing statistics:
- Attendance for the three practice rounds and the four tournament rounds was 258,907, more than 10% more than last year's record at Winged Foot (225,000).
- With Tiger Woods in the final pairing, NBC saw ratings jump 37% over last year. It was the best Sunday night rating in five years.
- The US Open at Oakmont was the first time the USGA has used its corporate sponsors in its 107 year history. Lexus supplied 230 luxury vehicles for player use and USGA official use. The cars retail for about $80,000, can parallel park themselves and are installed with real time traffic information in the navigation system.
- Cabrera may be the antithesis of today's golfer: he smokes, he never went to college and he has never had a professional coach. Still he pocketed $1.26 million for his win.
- Merchandise flew off the shelves. The white flags were sold out on Wednesday. The red flags were gone by Thursday.
- Some with fame that attended: Dennis Quaid, Alice Cooper, Sammy Sosa, many professional football players.
Cabrera wins US Open
on Sunday, June 17, 2007
Big Names gone from the US Open
on Saturday, June 16, 2007Well, Oakmont is proving to be tougher than anyone expected.
After 36 holes, noone is under par.
Five of the top 10 players in the world did not make the cut. The five are Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson, Luke Donald and Reteif Goosen.
My pick, Padraig Harrington, won't win this year. He missed the cut after shooting at 80 in the second round.
Mickelson unlikely to make cut at US Open
on Friday, June 15, 2007
Players winding down practice time at Oakmont
on Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Top Golfers Practice at Oakmont
on Tuesday, June 12, 2007Phil Mickelson practiced at Oakmont Country Club for the US Open. He managed only nine holes. It was the first time in three weeks he has played due to an injured wrist.
Tiger Woods put in a full round and has more practice on the course than other golfer in the tournament.
Holes to Fear: 1-6
on Monday, June 11, 2007
Oakmont 2007 will be another U.S. Open where no one really wins, but one players will lose the least. No man on earth could match Johnny Miller's record shattering 63 at this course. Oakmont is a course which offers few rewards, but many punishments for errant shots. Geoff Ogilvy, champion of the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, fired a scary round of 85, highlighted by losing seven balls in Oakmont's high rough. Vijay Singh, who has won the Masters and PGA Championship, feels that the winning score could be as high as ten over par.
With that, ZealousGolfer.com will publish a viewer's guide of the holes which comprise arguably the world's most difficult golf course.
Hole 1:
Par 4 - 482 Yards
The first hole features numerous bunkers down the left side of the fairway, which all will be in reach. Oakmont has meticulously placed fairway bunkers almost touching the fairway itself, so the difference between disaster and salvation is minimal. Two more bunkers are placed near the left side of the green, but the rough could be nearly as deadly.
Hole 2:
Par 4 - 341 Yards
Number two is the shortest of the front nine par fours at Oakmont. However, six bunkers line the right side of the fairway, so if an unfortunate player finds himself in one of the deep fairway bunkers, he'll be chipping out. Try for the green? Think again. Three bunkers on the left side of the green, a giant bunker twisting around the green, and two more near the front right side.
Hole 3
Par 4 - 428 Yards
Hole three offers players their first shot at the Church Pew bunkers. These are the consecutive deep sand traps with small strips of turf and fescue to end great escapes. Pass these bunkers, and players may take a shot at a fairly simple green.
Hole 4
Par 5 - 628 Yards
If this course wasn't hard already, just throw in the longest par five in U.S. Open history. The Church Pews are in play on the left side of the fairway, but are complemented with more bunkers on the right side. This hole is out of reach in two, and even short approach shots will certainly challenge a multitude of deep bunkers surrounding all sides of the green.
Hole 5
Par 4 - 382 Yards
The tee shot will be onto a narrow fairway, which features a narrow landing area located between seven bunkers on the right and left side. Unless the approach shot if far off line, players will face a tough bunker shot onto a hard green from several very deep bunkers.
Hole 6
Par 3 - 192 Yards
This par three is relatively simple, but a pin position in the front right will require players to challenge a deep bunker in the front. The green tails out to the right side, so a pin position in the back right will require a tough, tight fade.
The PGA Tour recently did an interview with Oakmont Country Club's head professional, Bob Ford, on the course, the tournament, and his career. Ford, who also is head professional at Seminole during the winter, said, "Except for the rough the venerable layout plays year round for the members close to what it will this week for the 107th U.S. Open."
Ford has played in several major PGA of America events, but failed to qualify this year for the U.S. Open at his home club. He had turned down an invitation to play a practice round with Phil Mickelson last week, so Ford could attend sectional qualifying. Ford is currently 3 for 30 in his career in qualifying for the U.S. Open.
U.S. Open Sectional Qualifiers
on Saturday, June 09, 2007On June 6th, the USGA's largest and most talented sectional qualifying field finalized the qualifiers at Ohio State's Scarlet course. With many of the game's top pros competing in their final chance to play at Oakmont, many talented and well known players failed to survive.
The group from the Columbus sectional qualifying consists of:
06/04/07 Columbus, Ohio - OSU Scarlet G.C./Scioto C.C. & Double Eagle C.C.
Bubba Watson Bagdad, Fla. 65-71-136
Ryan Moore Puyallup, Wash. 68-68-136
Ken Duke Palm City, Fla. 68-69-137
Todd Fischer Pleasanton, Calif. 66-71-137
Harrison Frazar Dallas, Texas 65-72-137
Jerry Kelly Madison, Wis. 69-68-137
Nathan Green Australia 69-70-139
Steve Marino Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. 66-73-139
Camilo Villegas Cleveland, Ohio 69-70-139
Nick Watney Fresno, Calif. 70-69-139
(a) Trip Kuehne Dallas, Texas 72-68-140
(a) Pablo Martin Spain 65-75-140
Sean O'Hair West Chester, Pa. 69-71-140
Pat Perez Scottsdale, Ariz. 67-73-140
Michael Putnam Tacoma, Wash. 72-68-140
Joe Daley Scottsdale, Ariz. 70-71-141
Craig Kanada The Woodlands, Texas 69-72-141
Boo Weekley Milton, Fla. 68-73-141
Woody Austin Derby, Kan. 73-69-142
Eric Axley Knoxville, Tenn. 70-72-142
John Koskinen Baraga, Mich. 70-72-142
Warren Pineo Palm Desert, Calif. 72-70-142
P-Anthony Kim Dallas, Texas 68-75-143
A-Kevin Stadler Scottsdale, Ariz. 75-68-143
A-Will Mackenzie Jupiter, Fla. 70-73-143
Several players qualifying to the U.S. Open have wins recently on the PGA Tour, including Eric Axley and Boo Weekley. Will Mackenzie captured his first TOUR victory this season, but failed to qualify with rounds of 70 and 73.
In the last event before the 2007 U.S. Open, Adam Scott could not be any hotter. After solid Thursday and Friday rounds of 67 and 66 respectively, Scott followed with a 68 to move to nine under par. Additionally, the Aussie has a three stroke cushion over Brian Gay and David Toms (left), who are both a 6 under par.
One week ago, Michelle Wie pulled out of an LPGA event hosted by Annika Sorenstam as a result of "pain in her wrist." However, Wie played the next day in Maryland for some extra practice at this week's McDonald's LPGA Championship's home course. Wie's pullout drew fire from the queen of women's golf, Sorenstam herself.
Some felt the reasons for Wie's withdrawal go beyond her "injury." If Wie had parred the 17th and 18th holes of her round, she would have shot an 88. With an 88, she would no longer be eligible to take sponsor's exemptions on the LPGA Tour, so would end her efforts on that tour until she wins a LPGA Tour Card.
Wie's woes continued this week at the McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola. The teenager shot 83 in the third round, which left her five shots behind the rest of the field. There is a possibility that Wie will withdraw from the final round, as GolfChannel.com reports, "Wie's left wrist was clearly bothering her."
The USGA has announced the groupings and starting times for the first two rounds of the 2007 U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club next Thursday and Friday.
An "A" before the name indicates the player is an amateur.
Thursday (June 14), hole #1; Friday (June 15), hole #10
7:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Ken Duke, Palm City, Fla.; Sam Walker, England; Johnson Wagner, Charlotte, N.C.
7:11 a.m. - 12:41 p.m. - Craig Kanada, The Woodlands, Texas; Jon Mills, Canada; Tom Gillis, Oxford, Mich.
7:22 a.m. - 12:52 p.m. - Allen Doyle, La Grange, Ga.; Olin Browne, Tequesta, Fla.; Tom Byrum, Richmond, Texas
7:33 a.m. - 1:03 p.m. - Nick Dougherty, England; A-Trip Kuehne, Dallas, Texas; Ricky Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz.
7:44 a.m. - 1:14 p.m. - Ryuji Imada, Japan; Vaughn Taylor, Augusta, Ga.; Michael Campbell, New Zealand
7:55 a.m. - 1:25 p.m. - Jose Maria Olazabal, Spain; Sergio Garcia, Spain; Pablo Martin, Spain
8:06 a.m. - 1:36 p.m. - Tiger Woods, Windermere, Fla.; A-Richie Ramsay, Scotland; Geoff Ogilvy, Australia
8:17 a.m. - 1:47 p.m. - Justin Leonard, Dallas, Texas; Rory Sabbatini, South Africa; Jerry Kelly, Madison, Wis.
8:28 a.m. - 1:58 p.m. - Retief Goosen, South Africa; Luke Donald, England; Angel Cabrera, Argentina
8:39 a.m. - 2:09 p.m. - Bob Estes, Austin, Texas; Johan Edfors, Sweden; Ryan Palmer, Amarillo, Texas
8:50 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. - Woody Austin, Derby, Kan.; Mathew Goggin, Australia; Pat Perez, Scottsdale, Ariz.
9:01 a.m. - 2:31 p.m. - Jason Allen, Pueblo, Colo.; Mike Small, Champaign, Ill.; Geoffrey Sisk, Marshfield, Mass.
9:12 a.m. - 2:42 p.m. - Michael Berg, Detroit Lakes, Minn.; A-Jason Kokrak, Warren, Ohio; Kyle Dobbs, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Thursday (June 14), hole #10; Friday (June 15), hole #1
7:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Michael Putnam, Tacoma, Wash.; A-Rhys Davies, Wales; Lee Williams, Alexander City, Ala.
7:11 a.m. - 12:41 p.m. - Boo Weekley, Milton, Fla.; Nobuhiro Masuda, Japan; Bubba Watson, Bagdad, Fla.
7:22 a.m. - 12:52 p.m. - A-John Kelly, Saint Louis, Mo.; Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland; Kirk Triplett, Scottsdale, Ariz.
7:33 a.m. - 1:03 p.m. - Colin Montgomerie, Scotland; Chris DiMarco, Orlando, Fla.; Tim Clark, South Africa
7:44 a.m. - 1:14 p.m. - Ernie Els, South Africa; Zach Johnson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Padraig Harrington, Ireland
7:55 a.m. - 1:25 p.m. - Thomas Bjorn, Denmark; Ben Curtis, Stow, Ohio; Stephen Ames, Canada
8:06 a.m. - 1:36 p.m. - K.J. Choi, Korea; David Toms, Shreveport, La.; Mike Weir, Canada
8:17 a.m. - 1:47 p.m. - Stuart Appleby, Australia; Scott Verplank, Edmond, Okla.; Robert Allenby, Australia
8:28 a.m. - 1:58 p.m. - Todd Hamilton, Westlake, Texas; John Rollins, Richmond, Va.; Anders Hansen, Denmark
8:39 a.m. - 2:09 p.m. - Niclas Fasth, Sweden; Arron Oberholser, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Nathan Green, Australia
8:50 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. - Nick Watney, Fresno, Calif.; Peter Hanson, Sweden; Harrison Frazar, Dallas, Texas
9:01 a.m. - 2:31 p.m. - A-Philip Pettitt Jr, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Warren Pineo, Palm Desert, Calif.; John Koskinen, Baraga, Mich.
9:12 a.m. - 2:42 p.m. - Andy Matthews, Grand Rapids, Mich.; A-Jeff Golden, Winter Park, Fla.; Michael Block, Aliso Viejo, Calif.
Thursday (June 14), hole #1; Friday (June 15), hole #10
12:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. - Jeff Brehaut, Los Altos, Calif.; Andrew Buckle, Australia; Darron Stiles, Pinehurst, N.C.
12:41 p.m. - 7:11 a.m. - Martin Laird, Scotland; A-Alex Prugh, Spokane, Wash.; Todd Fischer, Pleasanton, Calif.
12:52 p.m. - 7:22 a.m. - Joe Durant, Pensacola, Fla.; Steve Stricker, Madison, Wis.; Joey Sindelar, Horseheads, N.Y.
1:03 p.m. - 7:33 a.m. - Trevor Immelman, South Africa; Stewart Cink, Duluth, Ga.; Paul Casey, England
1:14 p.m. - 7:44 a.m. - Vijay Singh, Fiji; Davis Love III, Sea Island, Ga.; Henrik Stenson, Sweden
1:25 p.m. - 7:55 a.m. - Jeff Sluman, Hinsdale, Ill.; Fred Funk, Ponte Vedra, Fla.; Toru Taniguchi, Japan
1:36 p.m. - 8:06 a.m. - Camilo Villegas, Colombia; Lucas Glover, Greenville, S.C.; Aaron Baddeley, Australia
1:47 p.m. - 8:17 a.m. - David Howell, England; J.J. Henry, Fort Worth, Texas; Rod Pampling, Australia
1:58 p.m. - 8:28 a.m. - Lee Westwood, England; Chad Campbell, Andrews, Texas; Carl Pettersson, Sweden
2:09 p.m. - 8:39 a.m. - Brett Quigley, Barrington, R.I.; Anthony Wall, England; Hunter Mahan, Plano, Texas
2:20 p.m. - 8:50 a.m. - Kevin Sutherland, Sacramento, Calif.; Soren Kjeldsen, Denmark; Eric Axley, Knoxville, Tenn.
2:31 p.m. - 9:01 a.m. - Joe Daley, Scottsdale, Ariz.; A-Martin Ureta, Chile; Miguel Rodriguez, Argentina
2:42 p.m. - 9:12 a.m. - A-Chris Condello, Heathrow, Fla.; Adam Speirs, Canada; Jacob Rogers, Tucson, Ariz.
Thursday (June 14), hole #10; Friday (June 15), hole #1
12:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. - Jason Dufner, Auburn, Ala.; Darren Fichardt, South Africa; Chris Stroud, Sea Island, Ga.
12:41 p.m. - 7:11 a.m. - Brandt Snedeker, Nashville, Tenn.; Christian Cevaer, France; Steve Marino, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
12:52 p.m. - 7:22 a.m. - Shaun Micheel, Germantown, Tenn.; Charl Schwartzel, South Africa; Tom Pernice Jr, Murietta, Calif.
1:03 p.m. - 7:33 a.m. - Nick O'Hern, Australia; Brett Wetterich, Jupiter, Fla.; Robert Karlsson, Sweden
1:14 p.m. - 7:44 a.m. - Kaname Yokoo, Japan; Paul Goydos, Dove Canyon, Calif.; Kenneth Ferrie, England
1:25 p.m. - 7:55 a.m. - Ian Poulter, England; Ryan Moore, Puyallup, Wash.; Shingo Katayama, Japan
1:36 p.m. - 8:06 a.m. - Phil Mickelson, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; Adam Scott, Australia; Jim Furyk, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
1:47 p.m. - 8:17 a.m. - Lee Janzen, Orlando, Fla.; Steve Elkington, Australia; Rich Beem, Austin, Texas
1:58 p.m. - 8:28 a.m. - Charles Howell, Orlando, Fla.; Justin Rose, England; Sean O'Hair, West Chester, Pa.
2:09 p.m. - 8:39 a.m. - Anthony Kim, Dallas, Texas; Jeev Milkha Singh, India; Dean Wilson, Kaneohe, Hawaii
2:20 p.m. - 8:50 a.m. - Tim Petrovic, Tampa, Fla.; Marcus Fraser, Australia; Tripp Isenhour, Orlando, Fla.
2:31 p.m. - 9:01 a.m. - D.J. Brigman, Albuquerque, N.M.; A-Richard Lee, Chandler, Ariz.; George McNeill, Ft Myers, Fla.
2:42 p.m. - 9:12 a.m. - Frank Bensel, Purchase, N.Y.; Todd Rossetti, Dallas, Texas; A-Mark Harrell, Hazlehurst, Ga.
The next event on the players tour card is the highly anticipated US Open, one of only four major championships played each year.
Tiger Woods wrote in his website blog (www.tigerwoods.com) that after taking in a practice round Monday at Oakmont Country Club, he knows it is the most difficult course he has ever played.
He's quoted as saying the fairways are only 26 yards wide and rough is often brutal.
After Friday's second round at the Stanford St. Judge Championship, Aussie Adam Scott once again finds himself at the top of the leaderboard. Scott followed his Thursday 67 with a solid Friday 66 to finish at seven under par after 36 holes.