When: June 15th- June 21st. This tournament will mark the 2nd Major of the 2009 PGA season.
The Course: Bethpage State Park- Black Course in Farmingdale, NY.
TV: DirecTV will offer a US Open Mix Channel in addition to the national broadcast on NBC and ESPN. For more info on the Mix Channel, see here: DIRECTV: Sports : Golf : U.S. Open Golf : Overview
The Players: Here's a guide to the Round 1 Groupings & Tee Times: The Official Site of the U.S. Open Championship Conducted By The USGA
History: Last year's US Open at Torrey Pines was a memorable one. One that I honestly didn't think could've been topped for quite some time. Last year, Tiger Woods won his 14th career Major in a sudden-death playoff, while sustaining a torn ACL and multiple leg fractures in stunning fashion against gigantic underdog and all around good-guy, Rocco Mediate. Well folks, I'm here to say that 2009 has the makings to top the drama of last year!
Why Watch: Tiger Woods is the defending Champion. He is a few months removed from rehabing and surgeriers to repair his knee. Tiger is also fresh off a stunning Day 4 come-from-behind victory at The Memorial Tournament in Dublin, OH.
With that said, Tiger will NOT be the sentimental favorite this year. Instead, the overwhelming crowd favorite will be "Lefty", aka Phil Mickelson. For those of you who haven't heard, Phil's wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a few weeks off, he now has his sights set on a first U.S. Open title, one that would be as emotionally charged as anything we've witnessed on a golf course in a long time. Phil has finished 2nd place in a US Open 4 times.
By entering this tournament, Phil is just looking for an emotional break. One where he can focus his thoughts on something else and not worry about the state of his wife for a few short hours.
Mickelson admitted that he's having a tough time in a recent interview:
GO LEFTY! YOU'VE GOT THE SENTIMENTAL WORLD BEHIND YOU BUDDY!!!!
The Course: Bethpage State Park- Black Course in Farmingdale, NY.
TV: DirecTV will offer a US Open Mix Channel in addition to the national broadcast on NBC and ESPN. For more info on the Mix Channel, see here: DIRECTV: Sports : Golf : U.S. Open Golf : Overview
The Players: Here's a guide to the Round 1 Groupings & Tee Times: The Official Site of the U.S. Open Championship Conducted By The USGA
History: Last year's US Open at Torrey Pines was a memorable one. One that I honestly didn't think could've been topped for quite some time. Last year, Tiger Woods won his 14th career Major in a sudden-death playoff, while sustaining a torn ACL and multiple leg fractures in stunning fashion against gigantic underdog and all around good-guy, Rocco Mediate. Well folks, I'm here to say that 2009 has the makings to top the drama of last year!
Why Watch: Tiger Woods is the defending Champion. He is a few months removed from rehabing and surgeriers to repair his knee. Tiger is also fresh off a stunning Day 4 come-from-behind victory at The Memorial Tournament in Dublin, OH.
With that said, Tiger will NOT be the sentimental favorite this year. Instead, the overwhelming crowd favorite will be "Lefty", aka Phil Mickelson. For those of you who haven't heard, Phil's wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a few weeks off, he now has his sights set on a first U.S. Open title, one that would be as emotionally charged as anything we've witnessed on a golf course in a long time. Phil has finished 2nd place in a US Open 4 times.
By entering this tournament, Phil is just looking for an emotional break. One where he can focus his thoughts on something else and not worry about the state of his wife for a few short hours.
Mickelson admitted that he's having a tough time in a recent interview:
Then on playing the US Open..."I've never been this emotional, where if I'm driving alone or what have you, I'll just start crying," he said last week at the St. Jude Classic, his eyes tinged with streaks of pink, his voice no longer steady and sure.
"We're scared, yeah," he said. "I think a lot of it is the unknown."
Amy Mickelson faces a year of treatment and surgery in July. The family plans on taking a tropical vacation after the US Open and before the surgery. Here's to hoping the family gets a head start on their celebration of life."I'm looking forward to the four to five hours ... where I'll be able to focus on something else. "
GO LEFTY! YOU'VE GOT THE SENTIMENTAL WORLD BEHIND YOU BUDDY!!!!