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Sunday June 17, 2007

Oakmont cuts big guns down to size

WHEN the world's second, third and fourth ranked players go out on course together, fireworks are expected to follow.

Not so at unforgiving Oakmont where Jim Furyk, Phil Mickleson and Adam Scott went up in flames themselves.

Playing together for the first two rounds, the trio limped off on Friday with a combined total of 35 over par.

Rough day: Officials look for Phil Mickelson's ball in a hazard on the eighth fairway during the second round on Friday. Mickelson (right) took a drop. – A
Furyk remained in contention for the title at six over after two rounds of 71 and 75, but Mickelson missed the cut after struggling to a 74 and a 77. It was the first time since his first appearance as a pro in 1992 that he had failed to make it through to the weekend at the US Open.

Scott meanwhile, a strong tip to do well at Oakmont after a tremendous year so far, looked like a sectional qualifier as he followed an opening 76 with an embarrassing 82 to depart the scene also.

Mickelson, who has had the added disadvantage of having to cope with a painful wrist that he injured while practising playing out of the punitive rough here said his plan for the afternoon was to “go watch the carnage on TV.”

The three-times major title winner said he wouldn't be rooting for carnage as an aid to his chance of making the cut.

“I don't have to root for it, it's going to happen,” he said.

To many players it's all a bit too much with the United States Golf Association taking the brunt of the criticism for toughening up its US Open courses over the last few years.

Others, like England's Ian Poulter, believe there is no use moaning and just accept it as the way it is.

“I am not going to say it is anything other than really hard,” Poulter said after a disappointing second round of 77.

“But there is no point bitching and moaning that it is a difficult golf course because it is a tough golf course and it is not supposed to be easy.” – AFP

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