Johnny: “This thing is Johnny Miller, it’s totally Johnny Miller"

I received a few strange looks on the train this morning when I laughed out loud at this Johnny Miller remark in Richard Sandomir's NY Times story about Johnny's special notebook:

He used to carry a surveyor’s tool to assess how putts would break, but last year he downloaded the Break Meter application to his iPhone. He demonstrated his toy in an NBC trailer, showing the angle and slope of a table and the linoleum floor.

“This thing is Johnny Miller, it’s totally Johnny Miller,” he said cheerfully as the iPhone registered its findings. “I don’t really need it, but it verifies things for me.”

And I let out a groan after this one:

Miller confessed to one weakness: “I don’t sit on the range all day and talk to players. My thing is to be more of an expert on the holes, to know what to watch out for, what not to hit, how the putts break and to know every bunker.”

He also knows that Nick Faldo, the lead golf analyst at CBS and the Golf Channel, has something he will never have: a knighthood, which was announced last week.

“Is CBS going to call him Sir Nick now?” Miller asked. “Jim Nantz might.”

Would he like to be Sir Johnny? “As long as it doesn’t take three divorces to get it,” Miller said, referring to his friend Faldo’s marital history. He smiled and said, “I guess that wasn’t a cool thing to say.”

2009 U.S. Open Round 1

I filed this primer for GolfDigest.com on what to look for now that the telecast has started.

Post your comments as the round commences. Or, for as long as it commences.

I'll be Tweeting when I'm not in the press center. Here's some form of the feed, though it seems a bit slow. You can always go to my Twitter page.

The USGA Press Conference

Inside sources say the USGA ordered all air shut off to the media center interview room. How else to explain a media performance for the ages?

Let's deal with all five questions asked after the statements by President Jim Vernon and Championship Committee Chair Jim Hyler.

Q. In light of the weather forecast, the current softness of the course and the likelihood it's going to be a lot softer, can you envision any circumstance in which the players will be allowed to lift, clean and replace?
JIM HYLER: No.

You have to love the brevity!

Q. So if they can't do that, you're prepared to take this tournament into Monday or Tuesday?
JIM HYLER: If it gets to the point where -- we're not going to play lift, clean and place. We'll suspend. If we can't play it, if it's not fair to be playing the ball as it lies, we'll suspend play. We'll stay here until we get a champion.

Uh, I booked on Priceline. Lift, clean and place doesn't look so bad to me.

Q. Do you recall any other championships -- and this is for David as well, I imagine -- in which the USGA has allowed that method of play?

JIM HYLER: Lift, clean and place? No.

Not a lot of grey area there!

Q. On the subject of future U.S. Open sites, how important is geographic diversity? Do you consider Oakmont to be part of the Midwest? And are you strongly considering something, a course in Chicago or Wisconsin, for 2017?

JIM HYLER: Oakmont is sort of Midwest, sort of East Coast. So it's certainly not East-East Coast.

Which reminds me, let's hear it for Oakmont! Questions, anyone, anyone?

My contribution to the proceedings:

Q. Some of the manufacturers have been indicating that they may have trouble implementing with the new groove rules and having enough clubs prepared, and they're lobbying the PGA TOUR to reconsider their support. How will that affect the USGA's stance on the groove rule change that takes effect in 2010?

JIM VERNON: As you know, Jeff, the implementation of the new groove regulations include a condition of competition for elite play, such as the PGA TOUR.

PGA TOUR will make its decision at some point as to whether they will implement that condition of competition for 2010. It is likely that if they were not to adopt it for 2010, we certainly would not adopt it for the U.S. Open either.

You can probably guess why I asked this. Last week we learned from Ian Poulter that certain manufacturers don't believe they'll be ready. Different theories have been floated, but it seems likely that at least one company is lobbying the PGA Tour in hopes of getting the tour to not adopt the condition of competition that bans the U-groove on the PGA Tour.

So now we know. Tim Finchem is the most powerful man in the game. Well, unless a certain manufacturer gets him to not comply to the rule change. Then that CEO is the most powerful.

I thought some of my counterparts would be fascinated and ask more questions. Instead...

Q. Have you given any consideration to a Senior Women's Open? You've talked about pairing up the men's and the women's open, but what about the Seniors? At the moment the women don't have a Senior Open.

I'm sure you can guess what David Fay said as kindly as he could.

Q. I wanted to ask about a future site by looking into the past a little bit. I don't know how many years ago it was that you announced that Pebble Beach would be hosting a U.S. Women's Open. It looked like '14 might be the best opening. You're booked now through '15. Can you give us any kind of an update on what's going on there, and how much of it is Pebble maybe just not wanting to give up a week that close after the U.S. Open?

DAVID FAY: Thanks. I've had conversations with them. They remain interested in having a Women's Open. That interest is sincere, but the date was never set in stone. It was speculation, and that's great. But I can tell you that they remain interested in a future Women's Open. No set date.

BETH MURRISON: Thank you all very much for being here. Gentlemen, we thank you very much.

Yes, we thank you for not asking questions.

2009 U.S. Open: A Few Final Preview Clippings

Thomas Bonk on Phil Mickelson's early morning press conference.

Ryan Herrington sums up the USGA press conference highlights.

Dave Perkins talks to players on the range who are staying away from the course. And the weather was perfect today. Shows you how simple the greens are, I suppose.

Mark Soltau with the best quotes of the day.

Lorne Rubenstein says don't count out the short hitters and considering how soft the greens are, he may be right.

David Shefter tells us all about the weather precautions and the unlucky folks who have to deal with it.

Wendy Uzelac preps us for Squeegee use and how the rules dictate various situations. Listen for the deep-baritoned frogs in the 8th hole pond. They may be the only ones happy Thursday (click to enlarge)

Tom Dunne explains what WaterHOGs are and how they are used to soak up the moisture. They were mentioned in today's USGA press conference

Ken Belson in a New York Times story tells us just how dead the corporate villages were early in the week.

Jason Sobel ranks the field. My wrists hurt just thinking about how much typing he did.

And finally, Lawrence Donegan loves that the USGA is playing a public course. He takes a while to make the point but it's worth it:

In a crowded sporting landscape, the Open Championship is the one of the few weeks during the year that the nation focuses almost entirely on golf. This is true now and it will be true in four years time, when people will turn their attention to Muirfield and see what? That's right, a golf club embodying every stereotype that has proved so damaging to the sport.

This, to put it at its mildest, is disappointing. Others would prefer to see it as a serious misjudgement; a needless provocation; or even a crime against the sport. I know I do.

Jenkins Tribute

The USGA hosted a salute to Dan Jenkins on the eve of his 200th major. Well attended, festive and fun (uh, were SI guys barred?), they handed out his latest book and DJ bobbleheads courtesy of Golf Digest.

Jerry Tarde saluted Dan and only slipped in twice that we were in the presence of a future Hall of Famer. Of course, what they're waiting for, no one knows!

David Fay thanked Dan for his service and shrewdly pointed out that this is Dan's 201st major, if you count the 1942 Hale America Open. You may recall Dan has lobbied for that 1942 playing of the Open to count, not because his boy Hogan won but because it was the rebranded U.S. Open in a war year.

Dan finally took the microphone atop the interview room podium, and proceeded to take us through his round in tour drone fashion. "Hit in the left rough on one." Press room joke. Had to be there.

My favorite was a Dave Marr story. Dave was asked what were the top three things Bruce Crampton did wrong. "He was born. He came to America. He stayed in America."

"To Bethpage faithful, a kinder and gentler Open isn't necessarily an improvement"

My first GolfDigest.com item on the Bethpage golf course setup is now posted. Let me know what you think.

Shock: Woods World's Top Athlete

Forbes comes out with it's annual list. Phil Mickelson is sixth on the list.

Butch Going Pink

I'm sure if you told Butch Harmon ten years ago that he would be discussing his pink belt with Phil Mickelson on the eve of the U.S. Open, he'd have told you to go jump in front of a train.

And yet that was the scene Wednesday at Bethpage where he's outfitted in pink in tribute to Amy Mickelson. Here's Phil's press conference, where I posted a few Tweets.

"I've seen lots of rules written down on the first tees but I've never seen warnings."

The 17th hole during Tuesday's practice round (click on image to enlarge)Just a few clippings heading into Wednesday at Bethpage.

Mark Soltau has a nice overview of player comments from Tuesday. Rocco's press conference makes for a pretty fun read.

Bob Harig on the fans and how they may play a role at Bethpage, reminding us of Sergio's battles last time the Open was played here.

Steve Elling talks to folks about the 18-hole playoff concept and you might be surprised by Kenny Perry's answer.

David Shefter interviews Matt Nagy about his amazing journey to Bethpage. You won't believe what had to happen for him to get there. Thanks to reader Rob for catching this.

Mark Lamport-Stokes hears what Geoff Ogilvy has to say about the long slog that is Bethpage.

"This is probably the only golf course with a warning at the first tee," former champion Ogilvy told reporters at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday. "I've seen lots of rules written down on the first tees but I've never seen warnings."

Bill Pennington reports that fans are treating Ogilvy like a defending champ due to his win at Winged Foot.

And just a reminder, I'm filing updates on Twitter and will post live from the USGA press conference as well as the media center toast to Dan Jenkins on the eve of his 200th major.

The New Yankee Stadium...

...is a lot like Bethpage Black. Big, grand, awe-inspiring but lacking some of the quirk and character you'd like to see in a ballpark. Some of the detail work and architecture is stunning, many other parts seem unfinished. It's just a wee bit soulless for my taste--like the Black.

The old park...

And today's new park...

The USGA Survey

If you aren't at Bethpage to participate in the electronic punch screen survey, unofficially titled "How Can We Be Loved More?", here's your chance to say something to the USGA on the state of their role in the game.

Take on any topic you like, just keep it civil!

Letter From Saugerties, 2009 U.S. Open Questions

Former USGA Executive Director Frank Hannigan dropped this letter in my email box on the eve of the USGA's annual press conference.:

 Dear Geoff:

We are on the verge of what should be a primary golf-media happening - the annual press conference of the USGA on the eve of the US Open Championship,.

Unfortunately, the affair seldom lives up to its potential. Most of those bearing questions think that Tiger Woods invented golf in 1997. On the answering end, the USGA president is not a threat to Barack Obama when it comes to being informative and amusing.

Alas, I will not be present for purposes of incitement. But I herewith offer, without request for compensation, a series of potential questions to lend a spark to the occasion:

Q. Mr Vernon, Bethpage is a wonderful site, but are you not concerned that the USGA has alienated its other New York area Open clubs - Shinnecock Hills, Baltusrol and Winged Foot?

Q. You pay a rental fee for Open courses. How much have you paid the State of New York to use Bethpage?

(follow-up). Since both you and New York are public entities, how you can you refuse to divulge financial dealings?

Q. You have praised the USGA for taking the Open to public courses. Can you name public courses that have been built anywhere as a consequence?

Q. The USGA spent $25 million to revise its Museum in Far Hills, New Jersey and then began to charge admission. What has been the paid attendance this year?

Q. Next year you will change the rules to bar U grooves on the Tour and in the majors. Will the average scores rise accordingly?

Q. There seems a good chance golf will be voted into the Olympics next week. Will the patronage jobs go to the PGA Tour, the USGA or the R&A?

(follow-up) Mr. Vernon, who won the gold medals in tennis in the last Olympics?

Q There has been a dramatic turnover among the USGA staff in the last few years - firings and resignations.
Why is that and does it bother you?

Q. A few years ago the USGA began to lease a corporate jet. Did you fly here commercial or did you use that jet?

Q. Golf Digest magazine reports that the salary of your executive director is $725,000. Are you kidding?

Frank Hannigan

Overheard On The LIRR, Day One

I'm a novice Long Island Railroad passenger. How else to explain my expectation that a printed schedule of the U.S. Open trains would not actually be accurate? I see 6:48 train. I figure there will be one.

Thankfully the 7:03 on the schedule arrived and when the logo clad gallery saw the track number flash on the screen, a mad dash ensued. You'd think a free Adams putter was offered the way the loudly-dressed mass of Bethpage spectators, club reps, volunteers and in my case, lowly blogger, ran to get on a train with plenty of seats.

Conversation was muted as one would hope in the morning hours. Or at least, I hoped after yesterday listening to the stereotypical debate over Pacino's best film in full Saturday Night Fever accents. The only thing missing were leisure suits and jabs at Gerald Ford.

Tried to pass off my New York Post to the gentleman seated next to me. Judging by the look on his face, you'd think I was handing him a pipe bomb.

In the Post I read Mark Canizzaro's depressing account about just how soggy the course is, with warnings of low scores possible. Brace yourselves people. 10-under could win.

The LIRR is catering to the U.S. Open fans with special announcements and reminders about catching the buses. And there was this call for etiquette from the conductor: "Keep your cell phone conversations brief, keep your feet off the seats."

"The intriguing thing about all this is that there have not been any low scores accompanying the high praise for Davis’s setups."

Larry Dorman on Mike Davis's role in transforming the Open.

Geoff Ogilvy shot five over par to win at Winged Foot in 2006. Angel Cabrera shot five over par to win at Oakmont the next year. And Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate each shot one under to tie last year. They then each shot even-par 71 in an 18-hole Monday playoff, won by Woods with a par on the first hole of sudden death.

“A lot of that had to do with the weather we got,” Davis said. “Oakmont and Winged Foot were dry and we had breeze. Had it been soft and there hadn’t been breeze, I really think you would have seen under par win both those. So much of it truly has to do with what Mother Nature gives you.”

True. But there are many pieces to the setup puzzle, something the final arbiter on the length of the rough, the speed of the greens, the width of the fairways and the positions of the holes knows well. The temptation that accompanies a decent lie in the rough may, on the whole, be hard to resist.”

Medinah Set For Its Traditional Pre-Major Redo, Still Won't Be Any Good When Work Is Finished

There's a Ryder Cup coming, so that must mean it's time for another Medinah redo.

MEDINAH TO SPEND $3 MILLION-PLUS ON PRE-RYDER CUP RENOVATIONS

Chicago-Area Club Bucks National Cutback Trend

MEDINAH, Illinois (June 15, 2009) – At a time when many of the nation’s recession-weary country clubs are cutting back, Medinah Country Club is stepping up with a view toward the 2012 Ryder Cup.

By a margin of more than 4-1, Medinah’s membership voted Saturday (June 13) to spend upwards of $3 million on a multi-faceted renovation that would see the club’s famed No. 3 Course close August 15 and re-open next June.

“What this overwhelming vote means is that we now will be able to bring our crown jewel up to the world class level where we want it to be,” said club president John Potts. “It will be ready for the 2012 Ryder Cup for the whole world to see. The membership is happy.”

Below is a brief outline of each aspect of the renovation project:

Reconstruction of the 11 remaining original soil-based push-up greens on the club’s No. 3 course, site of five major championships and of the 2012 Ryder Cup. These surfaces and the Putting Clock in front of the clubhouse would be replaced by state-of-the-art sand-based greens set to specifications of the U.S. Golf Association. The greens to be replaced are on holes 3, 4, 5, and 6. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14. A select number of these greens also will be re-contoured. The seven other greens on No. 3 were rebuilt to USGA standards during a 2003 course renovation directed by noted golf course architect Rees Jones. Jones also will oversee this phase of improvements.

Re-grassing of all 18 greens and the Putting Clock in front of the clubhouse to bring about all pure bentgrass greens upon reopening in June 2010.

Re-grassing of all 18 fairways and intermediate rough areas to eliminate poa annua and other types of undesirable grasses.

With Course 3 closed for the renovation, the club will undertake a Cart Path and Hardscape improvement program aimed at upgrading the aesthetics and functionality of cart paths, the halfway house complex, and the area surrounding the No. 6 green and No. 7 and 10 tees.

Renovation and expansion of the golf course maintenance facility.

Club leaders determined this was the membership’s last opportunity to undertake the projects prior to the 2012 Ryder Cup. Moreover, the club in is good financial shape, has a full membership, and a waiting list.

The vote is just the latest in a series of improvements made since the arrival of general manager Dan Miles in 2007 and, shortly thereafter, golf course superintendent Curtis Tyrrell, who oversees all three layouts.

The club has built a new 12-acre state-of-the-art short game practice area adjacent to its newly configured and improved driving range. Last fall, Medinah replaced all 88,000 square feet of tan-colored sand in all 74 bunkers on its No. 3 course with white Tour Signature Sand in order to make the bunkers more playable and more aesthetically appealing.