Wow. Tap-in birdies are always nice though! lol.

From the sound of it, Saunders half-assed his putt. The way they described it they said he "took a stab at his 4 inch putt and missed" (or similar). Makes me think he walked up and half-assed it like you see Tiger and many others do. LOL @ that, though.

That's what is great about golf, it's almost a pure meritocracy. And the ball doesn't care that your grandpa is Arnold Palmer. You still have to perform.

A guy I know from my hometown, Brian Stuard, crushed his Sectional today. He's done well this year on his 2nd way around, hoping he can put up a decent performance at Merion

anyone know how alternates work?

i see mike weir is an alternate as nick taylor (who shot a 65 at beth page when last uso was there).

do alot of them make it in? i'm thinking NOT

No idea but I seem to recall some guy on GC the other day saying "three or four of these alternates will make it in". I think. No idea how or why but I swear I heard him say that.

The course he played has some crazy greens too. I've played there maybe five or six times and I think my low is 73. -11 at that track is insane.

the sites are ranked in a random order and that is the alternate pecking order. Might get a couple in max. Big luck of draw-random-overall-one time-alternate ordering going on.

Two swedes ready, David Lingmerth and Robert Karlsson

Is Weir a first or second alternate?

I don't think this is right. I think the sites are ranked (subjectively) based on strength of field and that's how they order the alternate list.

Might be for sectionals to get in the Open. Local to get in Sectionals is a blind draw for sure, that's how I got in Sectionals in 2011 last minute. Also how Spenda and I (mostly I) set a pizza stand hitting record walking NYC after the 36 hole day.

Fatties!


(that sounds awesome btw. I miss good pizza)

I am almost sure that the sections are ranked by strength of field. Any remaining slots go to the first alternate at the toughest section, etc.

super relevant to the pizza discussion

"you know he plays to a plus 3." - everybody ever.

Just saw Scott Stallings tweet that he's headed to Merion. Wonder if he was the very first alternate, don't think he came from what everyone would consider the "toughest" sectional. He wasn't in Columbus IIRC.

I have a student/good friend who was the last alternate NOT to get in at the US Open a couple years ago. All week officials told him he'd surely get in. He was allowed access to range, but no practice rounds. Thursday morning he was on the range while several guys were in & out of the medical trailer with various problems. One Sr. Tour player (I won't name him, but it rhymes with Cale Merwin) could hardly move, couldn't hit any balls, but said "well, let's give it a try." played one hole & withdrew. My guy was heartbroken. Hasn't made it back again. It sucked to be that close and really think he might get in & then watch a guy who knew he wouldn't finish (much less contend) take the spot. Sure, every event will have one guy who was the "next" alternate who doesn't get in, but seeing it first hand was pretty rough.

Such a dick move by Cale.

I remember the coverage on that and how they thought Bale was a prick.

For what its worth, I read an article at work today (I don't have the link) that stated that if an exempt player WD's, the USGA picks the alternate from the "toughest" sectional site. If a sectional qualifier WD's, the alternate comes from that same sectional.

Whether or not that's accurate I'm not sure, but it sounds reasonable.

imagine if cale was a pussy and didnt have to go up against jack to prove his plums.

yes this sure sounds right (which might mean the USGA would never come up with it)

Lol Dale. 1 hole?! Why not just WD after your first drive?

Why even tee it up? Pure ignorance

Yeah. It was obvious he couldn't play. You want to get my buddy fired up, just mention that name around him.

Well, did you see how badly Bane broke his back? To still be able to walk was nothing short of a miracle let alone climb out of the well and make his tee time...