US Open Digest

A round-up of other golf stories in brief...

Singh and Singh

THE USGA have a quirky sense of humour, in their own way. How else can you explain that the Singhs – Jeev Milka and Vijay – were paired together for the opening two rounds, as were Scandinavians Soren Hansen and Peter Hanson and Argentinians Eduardo and Andres Romero. None of them are related.

No rub of green for Farren

ONE of our own? Sean Farren, a native of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania but who works out of the Creek Club in Locust Valley on Long Island, has strong Irish connections and even undertook a trip “home” last year where he played six of the country’s top links courses.

But he has his hands full if he is to survive the cut at Bethpage this week.

Farren, a 39-year-old who came through sectional qualifying to make his maiden appearance in the US Open, had to settle for an opening round of 80.

By the numbers

4 The number of “mud balls” that Tiger Woods claimed he got over the closing holes as the course dried out after Thursday’s deluge.

40 The number of players who played in the 2002 US Open at Bethpage and who have made it back this time.

525 The yardage on the seventh hole, making it the longest par four in US Open history.

517 The yardage on the par-five fourth hole!

Weaver finds comfort in golf after Virginia trauma

TWO YEARS AGO Drew Weaver was an eye witness to the gun massacre at Virginia Tech, but he has found comfort in golf in overcoming his memories of those traumatic events.

Indeed, Weaver went on to win the British Amateur championship in 2007 but, somehow, failed to get selected for the United States Walker Cup team for the match in Royal County Down that year.

It is something he is aiming to rectify this time, deciding to remain amateur rather than join the professional ranks ahead of this September’s defence of the trophy in Merion.

After shooting an opening round 69 here in the first round of the US Open, Weaver explained:

“It’s every amateur’s dream to play in the Walker Cup and that is my motivation. That’s why I work so hard. That’s what gets me up in the morning when I go work out. That’s what keeps me going.”

Ironically, given that Irish Open champion Shane Lowry took a different view and jumped ship from the amateur ranks into the shark pool of life as a professional on tour, Weaver claimed that the Irishman’s achievement in winning a pro event while an amateur, will provide inspiration here.

“I don’t think it’s too much to ask (for an amateur to win the US Open). I think it is all about managing yourself, managing your thoughts and your mental game.

“It’s about keeping your mind in the right place . . . but I think it is possible.”

Poulter happy to be on the level

BRITAIN’S Ian Poulter was delighted after carding a level-par 70 in the weather-delayed US Open first round yesterday on a brutally long and wet Bethpage Black layout.

The flamboyantly dressed Englishman was lying one stroke off the early clubhouse lead in the second major of the year.

“It’s a good, solid start, Poulter told reporters after negotiating the hilly 7,426-yard course.

“I’m very happy. Three birdies and three bogeys, its a nice start to a US Open.

“The golf course was surprisingly playable after all of that rain yesterday,” he added, referring to the inch-and-a-half that saturated the layout.

“I didn’t think we would start on time this morning.”