razaar
7th May 2009, 02:02 PM
The first ball struck in pursuit of the 109th U.S. Open Championship takes flight today at La Purisima G.C. in Lompoc, Calif. May 6 marks the start of 18-hole local qualifying, played at 112 sites across the country, through May 25. For complete results, including official scores, visit www.USOPEN.com (https://ionmx.com/apps/redir.aspx?type=1&l=UgjciCF&t=e0e-1132b-1132b-2153-e4b76&U=http%3a%2f%2fwww.usopen.com), where you’ll find other exclusive coverage of the 2009 U.S. Open, returning to Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., June 18-21.
We salute the players who will be participating in the U.S. Open qualifying rounds and all of the golfers competing in our national championships this season.
A New Open Record
We’re excited to share the news that a record 9,086 golfers from around the world have filed applications to compete for the 2009 U.S. Open. Nearly 9,000 of these golfers will compete in local and sectional qualifying events throughout the country and abroad for the chance to join 63 players, including defending champion Tiger Woods, world No. 2 Phil Mickelson and Angel Cabrera, winner of the 2007 U.S. Open and 2009 Masters, who are currently fully exempt into the final field of 156.
Overall, the USGA received entries from golfers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and 71 foreign countries, including 783 applicants with foreign addresses or preferred foreign addresses. The previous record for entries was 9,048 for the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
“We’re thrilled to receive such a positive response from the world’s best golfers,” said USGA President Jim Vernon. “It was exciting to see the reactions of players and fans in 2002, when we first brought the U.S. Open to Bethpage and staged what came to be known as the ‘People’s Open.’ It’s clear that the same energy is now building for this year’s championship. We look forward to sharing the week with tens of thousands of spectators who will witness the finest players in the world facing the game’s premier test.”
To read the complete article, CLICK HERE (https://ionmx.com/apps/redir.aspx?type=1&l=UgjdbBJ&t=e0e-1132b-1132b-2153-e4b76&U=http%3a%2f%2fwww.usga.org%2fnews%2f2009%2fmay%2f USOpen_Entries_2009.html).
Tiger Eyes U.S. Open Repeat
“Life has come a long way,” Tiger Woods told reporters via teleconference at the 2009 U.S. Open Media Day on May 4. The defending national champion has undergone many changes in his life since his U.S. Open triumph at Bethpage Black in 2002, but he’s still the world’s No. 1 golfer – and the “double-defender” to beat in June.
Here’s what Tiger had to say about life as a new father: “…having the two kids is just unbelievable, how much fun we are all having, except the sleepless nights…”
About his memories of Bethpage in 2002: “It was exciting not just for the fans but for the players, just an incredible atmosphere…”
And about how he plans to tame the beast that is Bethpage Black: “…Hit the ball well and stay out of those bunkers…”
To read the complete transcript of Tiger’s interview on Monday, CLICK HERE (https://ionmx.com/apps/redir.aspx?type=1&l=UgjddCB&t=e0e-1132b-1132b-2153-e4b76&U=http%3a%2f%2fwww.usopen.com%2fen_US%2fnews%2fart icles%2f2009-05-04%2f200905041241458615724.html).
Mike Davis Sets the Stage
Also on Monday, Mike Davis, the USGA’s senior director of Rules and Competitions, and the man most responsible for the U.S. Open course setup, spoke to reporters about the Black Course, detailing the changes made since 2002 and how it’s expected to play in June.
He also spoke about how the USGA’s course-setup philosophy has evolved in recent years, introducing concepts such as graduated rough and alternate teeing grounds. “We want it to be, in theory, the toughest test of golf the players see all year long,” said Davis.
To read the complete transcript of Mike Davis’ discussion of Bethpage Black, CLICK HERE (https://ionmx.com/apps/redir.aspx?type=1&l=UgjceCB&t=e0e-1132b-1132b-2153-e4b76&U=http%3a%2f%2fwww.usopen.com%2fen_US%2fnews%2fart icles%2f2009-05-04%2f200905041241456105474.html)
We salute the players who will be participating in the U.S. Open qualifying rounds and all of the golfers competing in our national championships this season.
A New Open Record
We’re excited to share the news that a record 9,086 golfers from around the world have filed applications to compete for the 2009 U.S. Open. Nearly 9,000 of these golfers will compete in local and sectional qualifying events throughout the country and abroad for the chance to join 63 players, including defending champion Tiger Woods, world No. 2 Phil Mickelson and Angel Cabrera, winner of the 2007 U.S. Open and 2009 Masters, who are currently fully exempt into the final field of 156.
Overall, the USGA received entries from golfers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and 71 foreign countries, including 783 applicants with foreign addresses or preferred foreign addresses. The previous record for entries was 9,048 for the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
“We’re thrilled to receive such a positive response from the world’s best golfers,” said USGA President Jim Vernon. “It was exciting to see the reactions of players and fans in 2002, when we first brought the U.S. Open to Bethpage and staged what came to be known as the ‘People’s Open.’ It’s clear that the same energy is now building for this year’s championship. We look forward to sharing the week with tens of thousands of spectators who will witness the finest players in the world facing the game’s premier test.”
To read the complete article, CLICK HERE (https://ionmx.com/apps/redir.aspx?type=1&l=UgjdbBJ&t=e0e-1132b-1132b-2153-e4b76&U=http%3a%2f%2fwww.usga.org%2fnews%2f2009%2fmay%2f USOpen_Entries_2009.html).
Tiger Eyes U.S. Open Repeat
“Life has come a long way,” Tiger Woods told reporters via teleconference at the 2009 U.S. Open Media Day on May 4. The defending national champion has undergone many changes in his life since his U.S. Open triumph at Bethpage Black in 2002, but he’s still the world’s No. 1 golfer – and the “double-defender” to beat in June.
Here’s what Tiger had to say about life as a new father: “…having the two kids is just unbelievable, how much fun we are all having, except the sleepless nights…”
About his memories of Bethpage in 2002: “It was exciting not just for the fans but for the players, just an incredible atmosphere…”
And about how he plans to tame the beast that is Bethpage Black: “…Hit the ball well and stay out of those bunkers…”
To read the complete transcript of Tiger’s interview on Monday, CLICK HERE (https://ionmx.com/apps/redir.aspx?type=1&l=UgjddCB&t=e0e-1132b-1132b-2153-e4b76&U=http%3a%2f%2fwww.usopen.com%2fen_US%2fnews%2fart icles%2f2009-05-04%2f200905041241458615724.html).
Mike Davis Sets the Stage
Also on Monday, Mike Davis, the USGA’s senior director of Rules and Competitions, and the man most responsible for the U.S. Open course setup, spoke to reporters about the Black Course, detailing the changes made since 2002 and how it’s expected to play in June.
He also spoke about how the USGA’s course-setup philosophy has evolved in recent years, introducing concepts such as graduated rough and alternate teeing grounds. “We want it to be, in theory, the toughest test of golf the players see all year long,” said Davis.
To read the complete transcript of Mike Davis’ discussion of Bethpage Black, CLICK HERE (https://ionmx.com/apps/redir.aspx?type=1&l=UgjceCB&t=e0e-1132b-1132b-2153-e4b76&U=http%3a%2f%2fwww.usopen.com%2fen_US%2fnews%2fart icles%2f2009-05-04%2f200905041241456105474.html)