2011 U.S. Open First Round Open Comment Thread

I'll be on the course quite a bit Thursday but will welcome any and all observations from round one of America's national championship. It's wide open and there are some tremendous qualifier stories. So many and so few obvious contenders that it would not surprise me if we see an unknown stick around the leaderboard through Sunday.

Comments

[Press Agent]

Everyone enjoy the US Open! Geoff, great work in keeping us up to date and providing a place for us to discuss this great game. I look forward to some great golf and some great conversations.

[Michael C.]

First round pin sheet available here:
http://progolftalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/16/the-pin-sheet-for-the-first-round-of-the-2011-u-s-open/

[M]

You would be sure if it was two americans leading the top ESPN would be showing every shot, but its two swedes, so we get nothing, unless they make birdie.

And Berman.. AGAIN?

[Jim S]

Anyone want to post an over/under on whether we see a shot of Chris Berman sweating through his suit this weekend?

[Jim]

Are the greens looking like they are stressing already (not all but on some)? And how might this affect any pin placements later in the week? Let's hope they hold up.

[Ringer]

It's no surprise that Chris Berman is a moron, but he just cited Harry Vardon as saying, "On a par-three over water, thou shalt hit one more club or two more balls." I'm pretty sure that's Henry Beard, not Harry Vardon; slight difference. (I'm be happy to apologize if I'm wrong about that.)

[Jason]

The scoreboard on USOPEN.com is unbelievably slow and not user friendly. The Masters seems to be getting the best out of its IT partner, IBM. USGA, not so much... Masters.org is leaps and bounds ahead.

[alr]

Can someone please let the Berman misery end...horrible!

[Dsl]

Berman is as American as apple pie. He's an essential component of this broadcast and a national treasure...according to whichever espn exec is featured in the compromising photos Berman has to be holding.

Given his longevity, those must be some heavily compromising pictures. Heck, maybe he's got someone's love child hidden somewhere.

I forgot the tourney started today. Good luck with that. May the least boring man win!

[Used to be Former S&T Convert]

I was at the '97 Open and the greens never looked this stressed.......wow, could be an interesting weekend.

[Jordan]

Donald just had a ball catch up on rough surrounding a greenside bunker on 5. Apparently they didn't shave it everywhere. When will they learn?

[NRH]

Come on guys, it's 2011, there are ways to avoid Berman. Here's a link to SKY's live coverage:

http://www.veetle.com/index.php/channel/view#4df9262601636

[Jim S]

I do wonder what the green and fairway contours were like before the Reestoration, with the blind shots and natural contours that Rees graciously bulldozed away. As it is, I think it'll provide some interesting theater, especially if the weather ranges from cool and damp to hot and sunny as tournament progresses.

[NRH]

Nice sandals on Edfors' caddie by the way

[Aunt Blabbie]

Thank-you, Geoff, for you and your wonderful coverage. Crooked shots are being severely penalized. Greens are receptive, but exhibit many tricky undulations. Now, let's all pray for no weather delays.

[Brad]

Greens remind me somewhat of Riviera during the PGA. Hope it doesn't get to that point

[Jim]

Anyone surpised we haven't seen any go low (65 or 66) given the conditions appear to be ideal? The greens seem to be rolling well so far, they aren't too fast, they are receptive, and there is no wind.

[d.b.cooper]

The greens are all the fault of Tom Meeks and Walter Driver.

[Tracey]

Rough start for Phil. Who's his fashion consultant?

[Jim]

Maybe now that I am totally giving up on Phil (what a start!!) he will start playing well and win. I am tired of rooting for him and always ending up with a disappointment.

[Jim]

Thanks NRH, I don't have TV, so that link is great!

[Cheeks]

Greens look like they have some water in them. Big ball marks and not much bounce. They will be fine.

[OWGR Fan]

If the people that run The Masters can keep Berman off of ESPNs tv coverage of The Masters then the USGA should be able to do so as well.

[HoselRocket]

rory mcilroy is hot early in his round

hitting lazer like irons for excellent looks at birdies....interesting to watch as Dustin Johnson and Phil struggle around him

[dbh]

I've been watching for several hours and it's been great. 'Tough but fair' is the cliche that comes to mind.

[Jim]

Davids just mentioned the greens are getting pretty bumpy and said that this afternoon will be tougher because of this.

[Jim]

Sorry, Davis Love said hte greens were getting bumpy

[Jordan]

USGA President just admitted that the golf course got away from them at Shinny. Let's hope this isn't a portent for the weekend. Greens are getting browner by the minute.

[daniel]

love the "fancy dress" group of poults, Ricky and mahan

[Tim in Hoylake]

NRH - lifesaver. Thanks. Rory on 7 - smooth.

[Tim in Hoylake]

Make that 6 - smooth iron.

[ME from CT]

Was looking forward to the extended coverage, as always, until having my annual "Oh, s##t, Chris Berman" moment. Coverage still OK, except when that idiotic, incredibly distracting ESPN crawl pops up on the bottom of the screen. Not to men tion the equally idiotic update box on the left side of the screen, which, when shown at the same time as the crawl, makes me want to drive up to Bristol and pee on the lawn.

[ellis]

I don't recall ever hearing the USGA go out of its way to talk about the golf course after the championship. Is this another indication of the frailty of the greens? And are they setting up possible excuses for low scores?

[ellis]

This telecast is lousy. The "personalities" must get paid by the syllable. I'd rather have Kelly Tilghman, circa 2009.

[China Golfer]

Wow. Rors has led three of the last four majors' first rounds. Talk about a fast starter. Am really hoping he gets it done this time. Super nice kid and clearly a helluva player.

[RickABQ]

It's only one round but I hope the good karma that Rory picked up last week in Haiti stays with him....

[The Can't Miss]

Did McIlroy really just leave three shots out there? And was the first question posed to him really about his last round of The Masters?
The two most stupefying acts of the day.

[A3golfer]

I wonder how many majors Phil could win if he didn't make such lame equipment choices. How's that 2 iron working out for you Phil?

[Scott]

ESPN has the Murderers Row of bad golf announcers - Berman, Strange, Kratzert, and Gannon. Bobby Clampett has to be in the bullpen.

[A3golfer]

Gary koch always tells us that some guy likes to work the ball from left to right or whatever. Totally annoying cause all we see is some ball landing. He sounds like he got a hemmroid.