Golfdom U.S. Open Podcast

The first ever Golfdom podcast is now available for listening. Editor Larry Aylward chat with yours truly about Winged Foot. Disregard the talk about concerns about the fairways getting too fast for the widths, as this was recorded before the recent downpours! Just click on the small play button, it's only 9 minutes or so. And if God forbid you want to listen to this on an ipod, go to you itunes podcast page, click advance and open Subscribe to Podcast, then paste this link: http://www.gabcast.com/casts/1063/rss/rss.xml

U.S. Open #1

2nd Annual Can You Spot The $%#@& Pairing

It's that time of year again when David Fay sits down and consults with Dick Ebersol Tommy Roy Mike Davis and makes the pairings. And as per tradition, Fay may have embedded a group of not-so-favorite players better known as the $%#@& pairing, though I don't see it. Plenty of other interesting groups though.

Anyway, place your bets and other pairings quirks in the comments section.  

Thursday (June 15), hole #1; Friday (June 16), hole #10
             7:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Andrew Svoboda, Larchmont, N.Y.; Chris Nallen, Tucson, Ariz.; J.J. Henry, Fairfield, Conn.
            7:11 a.m. – 12:41 p.m. - John Rollins, Irving, Texas; Mathew Goggin, Australia; Steve Lowery, Birmingham, Ala.
            7:22 a.m. – 12:52 p.m. - Nick Dougherty, England; D.J. Trahan, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Graeme McDowell, England
            7:33 a.m. – 1:03 p.m. - Vijay Singh, Fiji; Shingo Katayama, Japan; David Toms, Shreveport, La.
            7:44 a.m. – 1:14 p.m. - Jim Furyk, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Adam Scott, Australia; Chad Campbell, Lewisville, Texas
            7:55 a.m. – 1:25 p.m. - Robert Allenby, Australia; Rocco Mediate, Naples, Fla.; Angel Cabrera, Argentina
            8:06 a.m. – 1:36 p.m. - Fred Couples, La Quinta, Calif.; Jose Maria Olazabal, Spain; Mike Weir, Canada
            8:17 a.m. – 1:47 p.m. - Davis Love III, Sea Island, Ga.; Justin Leonard, Dallas, Texas; Nick Price, Hobe Sound, Fla.
            8:28 a.m. – 1:58 p.m. - David Duval, Denver, Colo.; Colin Montgomerie, Scotland; John Cook, Windermere, Fla.
            8:39 a.m. – 2:09 p.m. - Jeff Sluman, Hinsdale, Ill.; Rod Pampling, Australia; Henrik Stenson, Sweden
            8:50 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. - A-Jonathan Moore, Vancouver, Wash.; Phil Tataurangi, New Zealand; Craig Barlow, Henderson, Nev.
            9:01 a.m. – 2:31 p.m. - Rob Johnson, Terre Haute, Ind.; Madalitso Muthiya, Zambia; David Berganio Jr., Sylmar, Calif.
            9:12 a.m. – 2:42 p.m. - John Koskinen, Baraga, Mich.; A-Tadd Fujikawa, Honolulu, Hawaii; Stephen Woodard, Charlotte, N.C.

  Thursday (June 15), hole #10; Friday (June 16), hole #1
            7:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Kent Jones, Albuquerque, N.M.; Phillip Archer, England; Nicholas Thompson, Coral Springs, Fla.
            7:11 a.m. – 12:41 p.m. - Shaun Micheel, Germantown, Tenn.; Kenneth Ferrie, England; Ted Purdy, Phoenix, Ariz.
            7:22 a.m. – 12:52 p.m. - Brandt Jobe, Westlake, Texas; Keiichiro Fukabori, Japan; Richard Green, Australia
            7:33 a.m. – 1:03 p.m. - Billy Mayfair, Scottsdale, Ariz.; A-Dillon Dougherty, Woodland, Calif.; Nick O'Hern, Australia
            7:44 a.m. – 1:14 p.m. - Scott Verplank, Edmond, Okla.; Ian Poulter, England; Lucas Glover, Simpsonville, S.C.
           7:55 a.m. – 1:25 p.m. - Phil Mickelson, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; Tim Clark, South Africa; Thomas Bjorn, Denmark
            8:06 a.m. – 1:36p.m. - Rory Sabbatini, South Africa; Paul McGinley, Ireland; Rich Beem, Austin, Texas
            8:17 a.m. – 1:47 p.m. - Luke Donald, England; Trevor Immelman, South Africa; Zach Johnson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
            8:28 a.m. – 1:58 p.m. - Retief Goosen, South Africa; Stewart Cink, Duluth, Ga.; Padraig Harrington, Ireland
            8:39 a.m. – 2:09 p.m. - Arron Oberholser, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Peter Hedblom, Sweden; Dean Wilson, Kaneohe, Hawaii
            8:50 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. - Michael Harris, Troy, Mich.; Andrew Morse, Chestnut Hill, Mass.; A-Patrick Nagle, Pacifica, Calif.
            9:01 a.m. – 2:31 p.m. - Jason Dufner, Auburn, Ala.; Jyoti Randhawa, India; Charley Hoffman, Las Vegas, Nev.
            9:12 a.m. – 2:42 p.m. - A-Alex Coe, La Quinta, Calif.; Brad Fritsch, Canada; Benjamin Hayes, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Thursday (June 15), hole #1; Friday (June 16), hole #10
            12:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. - Steve Stricker, Madison, Wis.; Oliver Wilson, England; Tommy Armour III, Las Colinas, Texas
            12:41 p.m. – 7:11 a.m. - Duffy Waldorf, Northridge, Calif.; Maarten Lafeber, Netherlands; Tom Pernice Jr., Murrieta, Calif.
            12:52 p.m. – 7:22 a.m. - Ben Crane, Beaverton, Ore.; Mark Calcavecchia, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Mark Brooks, Fort Worth, Texas
            1:03 p.m. – 7:33 a.m. - Jay Haas, Greer, S.C.; Joey Sindelar, Horseheads, N.Y.; Tom Lehman, Scottsdale, Ariz.
            1:14 p.m. – 7:44 a.m. - Toru Taniguchi, Japan; Ben Curtis, Stow, Ohio; Niclas Fasth, Sweden
            1:25 p.m. – 7:55 a.m. - Tiger Woods, Windermere, Fla.; A-Edoardo Molinari, Italy; Michael Campbell, New Zealand
            1:36 p.m. – 8:06 a.m. - Sean O'Hair, West Chester, Pa.; Mark Hensby, Australia; Olin Browne, Hobe Sound, Fla.
            1:47 p.m. – 8:17 a.m. - Darren Clarke, Northern Ireland; Peter Jacobsen, Bonita Springs, Fla.; Stephen Ames, Canada
            1:58 p.m. – 8:28 a.m. - Tim Herron, Deephaven, Minn.; Carl Pettersson, Sweden; Kevin Stadler, Englewood, Colo.
            2:09 p.m. – 8:39 a.m. - Geoff Ogilvy, Australia; David Howell, England; Bo Van Pelt, Bixby, Okla.
            2:20 p.m. – 8:50 a.m. - Travis Hurst, Erie, Kan.; George McNeill, Ft. Myers, Fla.; Taylor Wood, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
            2:31 p.m. – 9:01 a.m. - Tag Ridings, Southlake, Texas; Nathan Green, Australia; Greg Kraft, Belleair, Fla.
            2:42 p.m. – 9:12 a.m. - John Mallinger, Long Beach, Calif.; A-Billy Horschel, Grant, Fla.; Michael Derminio, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Thursday (June 15), hole #10; Friday (June 16), hole #1 
            12:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. - Woody Austin, Derby, Kan.; Jeev Singh, India; Jay Delsing, St. Louis, Mo.
            12:41 p.m. – 7:11 a.m. - Brett Quigley, Barrington, R.I.; Tadahiro Takayama, Japan; Bob Estes, Austin, Texas
            12:52 p.m. – 7:22 a.m. - Paul Casey, England; Matt Kuchar, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Graeme Storm, England
            1:03 p.m. – 7:33 a.m. - Corey Pavin, Plano, Texas; Fred Funk, Ponte Vedra, Fla.; Allen Doyle, La Grange, Ga.
            1:14 p.m. – 7:44 a.m. - J.B. Holmes, Campbellsville, Ky.; Camilo Villegas, Colombia; Scott Hend, Australia
            1:25 p.m. – 7:55 a.m. - Lee Janzen, Orlando, Fla.; Todd Hamilton, Westlake, Texas; Steve Jones, Chandler, Ariz.
            1:36 p.m. – 8:06 a.m. - Sergio Garcia, Spain; Charles Howell, Augusta, Ga.; Stuart Appleby, Australia
            1:47 p.m. – 8:17 a.m. - Ernie Els, South Africa; Chris DiMarco, Heathrow, Fla.; K.J. Choi, Korea
            1:58 p.m. – 8:28 a.m. - Kenny Perry, Franklin, Ky.; Miguel Angel Jimenez, Spain; Bart Bryant, Ocoee, Fla.
            2:09 p.m. – 8:39 a.m. - Skip Kendall, Windermere, Fla.; Charl Schwartzel, South Africa; Ryuji Imada, Japan
            2:20 p.m. – 8:50 a.m. - A-Ryan Posey, Dallas, Texas; Stephen Gangluff, Marysville, Ohio; Jason Allred, Scottsdale, Ariz.
            2:31 p.m. – 9:01 a.m. - Chad Collins, Cloverdale, Ind.; David Oh, Cerritos, Calif.; Lee Williams, Alexander City, Ala.
            2:42 p.m. – 9:12 a.m. - Andy Bare, Jacksonville, Fla.; Dustin White, Pueblo West, Colo.; A-Ryan Baca, Richmond, Texas

Wet At Winged Foot

Ernie Palladino reports on how it's all good over at Winged Foot even though it's really drenched. And unfortunately, it appears Tim Moraghan isn't allowed to talk to the media about agronomic matters, which leaves the task up to Marty Parkes.

Winged Foot doesn't drain well because the course is built on a rock ledge base as opposed to, say, the sandy underpinnings of Pinehurst, last year's Open venue.The various bleachers, TV booths, and other Open-related buildings could block the water's few escape routes.

That means a lot of liquid will be hanging around the fairways, rough, bunkers and greens, making it difficult for the bigger machines to get in there.

No problem, though, Parkes said. Can't use a big, honkin' ride-about? There are always hand-mowers.

"It'll be slower to do the maintenance," Parkes said. "The bigger machinery might not be able to get through because it'll create ruts and tear up the turf. For the short-term gains, the repairs won't be worth it. You have to use lighter, smaller equipment, and that will take longer."

Some might assume in reading this that the dreaded walk mowers may return to mow fairways. Surely that won't be the case?

The rough was scheduled for a final cut Sunday, anyway. But the USGA, accused in the past of making its championship courses beyond challenging, has already decided that the deepest rough will be cut at 5 inches instead of the originally planned 8 because the season's precipitation has caused the grass to grow in thicker than anticipated.

That won't make mowing any less of a task.

"When rough gets wet, it's hard to cut it to the length you want it," Parkes said. "We can hand-mow it. You won't see much of a difference."

Hand mow rough. Supers out there, any thoughts on how that would work?

Mowing may be the biggest job just because of the vast area involved, but tending to the bunkers may present as large a challenge. The rain could pack the sand into a harder surface.

Good for the golfer. They'll love it.

Bad for the USGA.

"It doesn't create the penalty we'd like for getting in there," Parkes said.

[Mike] Davis sounded a little more optimistic about the bunker situation, however.

"The ones at Winged Foot are built as well as any could be built," Davis said. "Starting in 2004, they rebuilt them more along the lines of what they originally were, and they've got all new drainage."

The greens may receive the least attention, aside from a little squeegying and normal cutting. Parkes said Moraghan and Greytock probably won't spray the putting surfaces at all. Even at that, Mother Nature may not dry them out enough to obtain the desired Stimpmeter reading of 11 or 12 — a moderate speed.

A group of exempt players taking a practice round Monday found the greens at a relatively slow 10.

"We won't touch the greens right now," Parkes said. "It's a bit early to speculate on what would be done Sunday. But there's some mowing patterns and rolling we can do early in the week to help them out."

And...

Assuming the rains stop by Sunday, Parkes saw no chance of any practice-round cancellations Monday. At worst, they might ask players to steer clear of certain wet areas. But that's only if another deluge hits after Saturday night.

"Put it this way," Parkes said. "In '96, we had a heck of a thunderstorm in Oakland Hills on Wednesday, and we started on time Thursday. The course wasn't in the greatest condition, but it was in U.S. Open condition."

The course wasn't in the greatest condition, but it was in U.S. Open condition. Sort of Meeks-esque, don't you think?

It Never Ends...

...this picking on the golf ball. Add Mark Brooks and Tom Lehman to the list of anti-golf ball technology types, but as Sam Weinman writes in The Journal News, they believe it flies too straight. (Of course, we know it's really the grooves):

"The direct result of the ball going too far and too straight has been to back the tees up, and to me, that's not the answer," said Mark Brooks, the 1996 PGA champion and a veteran of two decades on the PGA Tour. "The difference with doglegs is guys either have to learn how to shape the ball or fit it in the fairway. It's a huge difference in how people play."

Though Westchester will certainly play easier than Winged Foot, especially if it continues to be softened by rain, this week's site presents players with the challenge of needing to shape the ball in either direction. There was a time when that was standard practice. But if there's one area in which technology has been a detriment, it's that today's low-spin balls fly straight even when players don't want them to.

"My eye always wants to see the ball draw," Tom Lehman said. "That's my shot, right to left. So the starting spot is almost the same today as it was 15 or 20 years ago. It starts to the right, but now it doesn't hook. It starts to the right and stays there."

It might sound absurd, complaining about a ball that doesn't slice or hook. Most golfers would love to have that problem. And yet at Westchester and Winged Foot, it's a problem nonetheless.

Furyk Injures Back Brushing Teeth

Could I make that up? No.

With Today's Equipment...

Reader Chris correctly surmised that I do not subscribe to Tiger Woods's email newsletter, and shared this little nugget from the current edition:

And no, I won't carry two drivers. I can shape my driver both ways, so I don't need to carry two, although I can understand where Phil Mickelson is coming from. With today's equipment, the ball goes straighter and it's hard to move it from right to left...

Merion Here We Come...Next Week

Joe Logan makes sure to point out that the Daily News got it wrong and that Merion will get its Open next week when Walter Driver and David Fay greet the media Wednesday. Logan also has details on how some of the site constraints will play out in terms of corporate tent placement (I know you were losing sleep over this.)

Thanks to reader John for the heads up on this one. 

Golf World U.S. Open Preview

The latest Golf World previewing next week's U.S. Open offers a juicy set of stories, including Tim Rosaforte's look back at Winged Foot's shaky '84 Open, Ryan Herrington's profile of Mike Davis (the poor lad who has to fend off Walter Driver), E. Michael Johnson's analysis of what makes Winged Foot a special club, reviews of past Winged Foot majors by John Antonini, Bill Fields's feature on Claude Harmon and John Hawkins's analysis of Phil Mickelson's resurgence.

Unfortunately missing so far is Brett Avery's Winged Foot map, which features a fun life-size look at the different rough heights on the back.

Of course, if it never stops raining in Mamaroneck, those heights may be changing. 

Appleby and Others: No More Wie

A respected golf writer and I were discussing how funny it is to hear big, grown up, free-market preaching men who moan and groan about Michelle Wie taking up a spot in the U.S. Open qualifying. Even when she tries to earn her way in and beats a lot of men doing it, they still think the event should be for men only. And they sound ridiculous making their case.

Like Stuart Appleby. As Marla Ridenour reports in the Beacon Journal reports:

"Right now, she should be maturing and playing and winning and getting the rhythm of playing the ladies' tour," Appleby said Saturday. "Playing out on the men's tour, to me, is a pointless exercise, including the Open.

"I don't feel she should be qualifying and should even be allowed. No women should be allowed to qualify in any men's event. Invites I can barely accept, but certainly qualifying... I think it's the men's U.S. Open, and that's the way it should always be." Appleby wondered if Wie's advisers were pushing her in the wrong direction. Some have speculated that Wie's handlers are more interested in worldwide fame than success in the sport.

"I'm not sure if Michelle wants to play with the men or she's being advised through some decision-makers who are having a bigger play in her career than she is," Appleby said. "I think she really has the ability to be a record-breaker on the ladies' tour. I don't believe playing on the men's tour is going to make her a better player.

"If she's going to play the men's tour at all, she should do it when Annika (Sorenstam) did, when she was at her best. That may be 10 or 15 years from now. That's when she should come out and push her game."

Thankfully, there are still some big boys out on the Tour who can handle the competition: 

Countryman Adam Scott didn't share Appleby's opinion.

"Anyone who can qualify for the U.S. Open deserves to play in it," he said. "I think it will be unbelievable if she qualifies." Appleby was the only player asked to comment at the Memorial who did not believe Wie should be allowed to try for an Open spot.

"I always felt if anybody had golf clubs and was able to qualify and eligible to play in a golf tournament, they certainly can tee it up," Memorial founder Jack Nicklaus said. "I don't care if that's a man, woman or child. If Michelle Wie has the ability to qualify for the U.S. Open, fantastic. I think it's wonderful for the game of golf. It brings a whole new element that you've never heard before. I have no issue with it whatsoever. Matter of fact, I support it." Many backed Nicklaus' view. 

The PGA Tour Takes Care of Family Needs

Erin Bruehl shows us how the PGA Tour and Barclay's Classic do their part to ensure family values are a priority at Westchester.

Ashley Appleby and Phillipa van der Walt are very appreciative of everything the PGA Tour does to cater to players' wives and families.

And they both love coming to New York.

This week they are in town as their husbands, Stuart Appleby and Tjaart van der Walt, compete in the Barclays Classic at Westchester Country Club.

Ashley and Phillipa are two of the many wives enjoying the amenities the PGA Tour offers for families, including trips into New York City to see Broadway shows, free childcare and, specifically at Barclays for a second straight year, an on-site nail salon in the clubhouse at Westchester.

Ashley Appleby came to the salon for a late-afternoon pedicure yesterday with her mother-in-law, Ruth Appleby, and sister Kelsey Saleet.

While it is unusual for a tour event to have its own nail salon for players and their families on-site (most just recommend local places), Appleby and van der Walt are happy it is being offered at the Barclays.

"We love New York," Appleby said. "(Westchester's) so close to the city, everything is so organized (for the families). They take the kids and wives to a Broadway play, have lunch. It is really a family oriented kick-off to summer."

Last year was the first time player services offered the nail salon at Westchester. The salon offers free manicures and pedicures only to players and their families, courtesy of the PGA Tour.

During Barclays she is specifically hired by the PGA Tour's player services.

"Last year all the wives were thrilled," Clark said. "They are the nicest ladies, they were saying 'this is so great, we'll tell everybody.' (This year) some people made appointments over the Internet last month.

"It's a nice service to offer," she added. "The people are happy. Even if you had a pedicure last week, why not come in for a free one?"

The nail salon, located on the first floor of the clubhouse, opened just yesterday and will be open through the end of the tournament on Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Players are welcome, although Clark said she has yet to have one come, this year or last.

Don't worry, Monty will play one of these years!

Even on the first day, Clark and the three other manicurists were already busy.

Van der Walt came in to have a french pedicure and manicure and is so happy with how the PGA Tour caters to the families.

"This is a treat; it is definitely special," she said of the nail salon. "(The PGA Tour is) wonderful in hospitality of the wives and just everything the tour does to make us feel comfortable."

Oh To Be A Subscriber, Synergy Edition

Some of you longtime readers may recall that at various times I've had trouble receiving my golf publications here in the very remote, isolated Home of the Homeless (only about 9 million neighbors in my county).

Anyhow, I know you were dying to know about my Golf World subscription. Yes, it's back up and running. But when the post office apparently determined one of my issues was undeliverable, the good folks at Conde Nast decided to put a stop on my Vanity Fair, New Yorker and Golf Digest subscriptions too!

Synergy is a beautiful thing.

Anyway, it's all good now, And not only that, but my Sports Illustrated Golf Plus has arrived three weeks in a row!

Tiger's Distance Secret

Thanks to reader George for ruining the excitement of receiving my July Golf Digest by revealing the very first thing I read in non-Buddies Issue months: Tiger Tips!

Apparently July's Tiger Tip goes something like this, and it really, really puts a crimp in the argument wheeled out by writers, announcers and manufacturers: 

Tiger Tips: How I got my power advantage back

A couple of years ago I didn't need stats to confirm a disturbing new reality for me: Guys were blowing it by me off the tee. Power can be a huge advantage on tour, but mine appeared to be static.

Nothing gives me more satisfaction than bombing a drive, especially when it's shaped the way I pictured it. I felt to regain my edge and keep up with the young guys, I had to find more yards in the same place they did: equipment. By switching to a lighter and longer shaft (45 inches instead of 43 ½), a larger driver head (460 cubic centimeters) and a new ball, I've caught up.

The Brand Lady Strikes Again

According to Jay Coffin at Golfweek.com (and thanks to reader Van for the head's up), they can't resign fast enough from the Carolyn Bivens's regime.

Liz Ausman, chief strategic officer; Deb Richard, senior vice president of golf; and Julie Tyson, vice president of partnerships,

Is that like life partnerships? Sorry...

turned in their resignations June 7, a day before the start of the McDonald's LPGA Championship, the tour's second major championship.

Ausman and Richard have left the tour immediately. Tyson will stay with the LPGA for two more weeks.

The announcement means seven of the LPGA's highest-ranking officers have left since Carolyn Bivens took over as commissioner in September.

Kathy Milthorpe, executive vice president and chief financial officer, left the LPGA in September after 17 years to take an executive position with the International Speedway Corp. Barb Trammell, senior vice president of tournament operations, abruptly resigned in October after 20 years with the LPGA and Rob Neal, vice president of tournament business affairs, left in December to take over as executive director of Tournament Golf Foundation Inc. Karen Durkin, the tour's executive vice president and chief marketing officer, left in February after 11 years to assume a role with the National Hockey League as executive vice president of communications and brand strategy.

The latest news is strange because Ausman and Richard were hired by Bivens. Richard began her post in November and was a replacement for Trammell. Ausman was hired in February.

Richard, Ausman and Turner could not be reached immediately for comment.

And leave it to Bivens, to issue an absurd statement:

"Given the LPGA's incredible mix of talent, diversity and personalities, now is the time to take this organization to new heights. While we change the business model in order to better monatize our success, fans can continue to expect the very best in women's professional golf. We're committed to collaborating with all of our key constituents to create a stronger LPGA.

Better monatize our success?

Now, according to Websters, monatize means: "A mineral occurring usually in small isolated crystals, phosphate of the cerium metals."

I think she means monetize, which according MBA jargon watcher JohnSmurf.com, is frequently used in the Internet world to figure out how "make money off each page view, visitor (eyeballs), or anything else. If you work at an Internet company, you've used this term."

Maybe she's like, you know, going to like crystalize the Tour? Or something.

"As women's golf continues to grow and the popularity of the LPGA skyrockets, our organization will continue to evolve. We wish Liz, Deb and Julie success in their future endeavors. 

You know have a feeling it's not long before Bivens is pursuing other opportunities or spend more time with her husband? 

Winged Foot With Tilly: No. 3

The third features the new sod farm replica tee courtesy of the Fazio gang, and has been lengthened well beyond the USGA's official 216 yardage.

They probably won't be hitting spoons or 2 irons here (as Tilly suggested in '29). But the plan is for the new 240+ back tee to be used once in hopes of forcing someone to lay up like Billy Casper did in '59, all so that NBC can go into a fog-filtered feature on Casper's triumphant decision to lay up and make pars (just kidding).

(click on image to enlarge)This is another wonderful green that may not translate to television.

And even though it features the left-right bunkering that you'll see on the other par-3's, the green is distinct and loaded with fun hole locations. 

What's With...

...Brian Hewitt of The Golf Channel reporting that Geoff Ogilvy did not qualify for the U.S. Open, and I remember noticing in Golfweek's initial sectional reporting that he was listed there as well. Hewitt:

The names of the players who didn’t survive Sectional play are almost as fascinating as the list of the players who did:

Jason Gore, who captured our hearts at Pinehurst in last year’s Open. Brad Faxon. Geoff Ogilvy. Aaron Baddeley. Jesper Parnevik. Trevor Immelman. Peter Lonard.

Since they both made the mistake I'm guessing Ogilvy may have been listed as a WD or DNS in a sectional that he may have entered long ago?  (Same deal with Darren Clarke, who was listed as a WD even though he's in easily based on his world ranking.)

Anyway, Ogilvy is most definitely in because of his world ranking status, as this USGA press release said in May.