Chip it in!

The US Open teed off today with a course that was set up to punish those players that take chances. Phil Mickelson took chances and he paid for his aggressive play, scoring four bogeys and finishing exactly four over par on day one. Tiger Woods also struggled on day one of the US Open, scoring a +3 over for the first day.

Mickelson was so upset with himself, he stayed on the putting green practicing for an hour and a half following his four over par round. Woods, who was paired with Lee Westwood and Ernie Els also struggled but he did not look awful in his first major tournament round since he decimated the field on this course in the 2000 US Open.

The leader of the first round of the US Open rarely closes the deal but Shaun Micheel is the leader after day one of the US Open. Tied with Micheel are Paul Casey and Brendon De Jonge all at -2. In contention after the first day of play in Pebble Beach are KJ Choi, Mike Weir and Ian Poulter at -1 along with Alex Cejka, Ryo Ishikawa and Hudson Swafford.

The US Open winner is determined on the back nine of the Saturday portion of the tournament. Whoever wrests control of the lead heading down the back nine of Pebble Beach on Saturday will take control of this US Open tournament. Don’t count out Tiger Woods like the rest of country, he still has a chance.

Phil Mickelson will be going for his second-straight major on June 17 at the US Open played at Pebble Beach Golf Links, after winning the 2010 Masters Tournament. Mickelson has finished second a record five times even though he is yet to win the US Open.

During Mickelson’s first eight years as a pro, on two separate occasions, he finished in the top ten at the US Open. Mickelson’s first in the spotlight as a contender was in the 1999 US Open at Pinehurst. He finished near the top of the leader board at the end of each round. He ended up losing by one stroke to Payne Stewart.

At the 2002 US Open at Bethpage, Mickelson would finish second again. He was placed three strokes behind Tiger Woods after he shot an overall 280 for the tournament.

The US Open was held at Shinecock Hills Golf Club in Shinecock, New York in 2004. Behind South African Retief Goosen, Mickelson would finish in second place. On a day where brutal weather resulted in an average score of 78.7, Mickelson shot a 71 that left him two strokes behind Goosen.

In 2006 at Winged Foot, Mickelson appeared to be headed for his first US Open victory before disaster struck on the final two holes. He bogeyed to reduce his lead to one stroke even though he was in first place going into the 17th hole. On the 18th hole, needing par for a one-stroke victory, Mickelson hit the ball left of the fairway. He ended up double bogeying the hole that moved him down to second place, after a series of aggressive decisions.

For Mickelson, the 2009 US Open held at Bethpage was an emotional one. He declared that it would be his last tournament before taking time off to tend to his wife Amy who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, prior to the tournament. He could not match Lucas Glover’s minus 4 and finished tied for second place, despite solid play and great fan support.

The U.S. Open Golf Championships will be hosting for the fifth time the Pebble Beach Golf Links. The dates of June 14-20, 2010, have been announced by USGA. The U.S. Open is a true test of golf and the best players in the world will be at Pebble Beach looking to claim this title.

Tiger Woods s expected to be at Pebble and should be the favorite and he is one golfer who loves Pebble Beach. Masters champion Phil Mickelson might be able to pick up another major title and he also enjoys the course. Retief Goosen is a two-time U.S. Open champ and he will be a factor. Jim Furyk and Ernie Els are also playing well so far in 2010 and should be forces come June. Last year Lucas Glover surprised many in winning the U.S. Open title. Glover is one of many young players who can win at anytime. Others include Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan and Luke Donald.

To earn their place at Pebble, many other players will head to local and sectional qualifying.
Tom Watson, the way he has been playing major championships he deserves a special exemption into the field this year, kudos to the USGA.

The course leading up to the U.S. Open has gone through some changes. The course will be lengthened and narrowed in anticipation of U.S. Open play, under the direction of Arnold Palmer. Should be a fair, but tough test.

The best golfers from all over the world are attracted by the PGA tour.  A number of upsets and surprises are brought in each tournament.

Tiger Woods will not be playing this year is the biggest difference. He has checked himself into a sex rehab and is taking a break from golf indefinitely because of all the scandalous accusations about infidelity going around about him.

Some other up and coming golfers are offered to strut their stuff in the meantime but who knows how long he will be out of action. Betting on golf is always available.

The PGA Tour Honda Classic has been around since the 1970s and is a regular stop on the tour. The tournament always takes place on the Champion Golf Course in Florida.

It was first built by Tom and George Fazio but later renovated by Jack Nicklaus and the history of the course is quite interesting. On holes 15, 16, and 17, Jack added what is known as the “bear trap”. The whole tournament benefits the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, and is a prestigious stop on the tour. In many different golf publications, the course is ranked on the “top 100″ resorts.

From March 4-7, the tournament takes place in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Yang from Korea was last year’s tournament winner. He shot a two under 68 to end up one shot ahead of the competition. It was his first PGA tour victory and he may even repeat with another win this year, who knows. You can bet online with online sportsbooks and casino.

Does anyone know how soon the tee times will be available for the first round of this year’s US Open at Oakmont? I’m going on thursday and I don’t recall how far in advance they release the first round pairings. Thanks!

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