ERIN, Wis. – Brian Harman didn’t lose Sunday’s U.S. Open. Brooks Koepka just won it. That’s how Harman sees it. The turning point came on Erin Hills’ back nine after Harman made bogeys at Nos. 12 and 13. “Then I made the birdie at 14 and he birdies 14, 15 and 16,’’ said Harman. “That…
Author: lenz
Women’s major at Olympia Fields tries to match a successful U.S. Open
These are unprecedented times for spectator golf around the Chicago area. Last week it was the U.S. Open at Erin Hills. Next week it’s a women’s major – the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Olympia Fields. The best players in women’s golf start showing their skills at the south suburban private club on Tuesday in…
Thomas’ 63 is the best round in U.S. Open history
ERIN, Wis. – No, Justin Thomas isn’t leading the U.S. Open going into today’s final round but he’s definitely the man of the hour at Erin Hills. The 24-year old from Louisville, Ky., shot the lowest round in the 117-year history of America’s premier golf championship on Saturday – a 9-under-par 63. He trails Brian…
Comparing 63s isn’t easy for Johnny Miller
ERIN, Wis. – Johnny Miller, the golf analyst for NBC, was impressed by Justin Thomas’ 63 in Saturday’s third round of the U.S. Open, especially the 9-under-par aspect to it. Miller shot the first 63 in the Open 44 years ago, and his score was 8-under on a par-71 course. “Justin Thomas is a lot…
Spectator’s death latest in events that mar this U.S. Open
ERIN, Wis. — Away from the play on the course it’s been one thing after another for the U.S. Golf Association to deal with at this 117th U.S. Open. On Thursday it was a blimp crash a half-mile from the course. On Friday the USGA announced that E.Coli bacteria had been detected in a Hydration…
Top three stars aren’t needed to make Erin Hills’ Open a special event
ERIN, Wis. – Phil Mickelson doesn’t show up and defending champion Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day – the top three players in the Official World Golf Rankings – miss the 36-hole cut. What kind of U.S. Open is this anyway? Actually, it’s been quite a good one in terms of competitiveness and the…
Dustin Johnson’s the man to beat at Erin Hills
ERIN, Wis. — No matter how you slice it, Dustin Johnson is at the top of the golf world. The FedEx Cup standings say so. So do the Official World Golf Rankings. And, starting today, Johnson will defend the most prestigious title he’s ever won at the U.S. Open. So, what could possibly go wrong…
Mickelson ends the suspense, finally WDs from U.S. Open
ERIN, Wis. – Phil Mickelson ended the suspense before first round play began in the 117rh U.S. Open. He officially withdrew from the championship, ending speculation that he might make a dramatic last minute arrival at the first tee. Mickelson had said he would skip the Open to attend his daughter Amanda’s high school graduation…
Could this be Rickie Fowler’s time to nab that first major title?
ERIN, Wis. – Rickie Fowler is sure that he’ll win one of golf’s major titles some day. So is most everyone else, and this week could be his time. In 2014 he finished in the top five at all four of them – the Masters, U.S. and British Opens and PGA Championship – and was…
Could this U.S. Open produce seventh straight first time major champion?
ERIN, Wis. – It would seem that the more established players would have the most success in a tournament as difficult to win as the U.S. Open. That hasn’t been the case lately, however. The last six U.S. Opens have had champions who won their first major title, and another could be in the offing…