I've got a feeling....

[Don_Mahaffey]

...that tomorrow will not be Tiger's day. Now, before I get committed, I have no evidence and I can't even make a good argument. I just feel the whole atmosphere will not allow a Tiger walkover. I feel like the crowd's energy will carry someone to a career round that may just put a dent in the Tiger mystique. Fire away, and I'll probably eat crow tomorrow evening, but I've got a feeling....

[Gene Greco]

Hope its Faldo. What a story that would make - getting the Open he so desparately wants against the greatest in the world.

Sergio could get into Tiger's head and leave it wide "open".

[TEPaul]

Don:

No need to say you may have to eat crow! I know what you mean--I sure had that feeling today that this might not be Woods's tournament. Garcia sure doesn't act like an intimidated player and let's see if Mickelson might be able to get on track early, or some of the other six or so who are in range and will be playing unpressured--but I sure wouldn't put real money against Woods.

It'll be an interesting final round--I hope!

[JamieS]

Tiger Proof:

Leading or tied going into the final round...23 out of 25 victories.

Better yet...7 for 7 in Majors!!!

Until someone steps up on a Sunday, the only person that can beat Tiger is himself, and that doesn't happen too often.

[David Kelly]

I was thinking the same during most of the round but those birdies by Tiger at 15 & 17 were huge.

Tiger has played the last four holes in -3 so far while Garcia and Mickleson are each +1.

[CHrisB]

Don,

You have to give the Ben Crenshaw finger-wag when you say that.  I hope you're right!

The entire world of golf will change forever if Tiger ever coughs one up.  It's got to happen sometime.

Anyone else think Phil isn't too disappointed that the putt on 18 didn't fall, so Sergio plays with Tiger tomorrow instead of him?  He's in the perfect "charge" position, like Sergio was at Medinah in 1999.

[Evan Fleisher]

Stick a fork in it, gentlemen...

[Bruceski]

This is an old script: Sergio or Phil get a taste of victory -- perhaps closing to within 2 strokes by the 9th -- only to see their hopes dashed as Tiger wakes up and DECIDES to make a few birdies. Oh, don't know this story? See the Open Championship at St. Andrews in 2000 (remember Duval's front nine charge? Fast forward to the Road Hole's Bunker). At least Bob May didn't feel his brush with a Major Championship entitled him to future greatness.

[TEPaul]

Evan:

We're in total agreement!

[Paul_Carelli]

Don,

I had that same feeling the Saturday evening before this year's Masters.  I was thinking here is Goosen, the U.S. Open champion, right there to take Tiger, to get into his head.  But it was the other way around, not only with Goosen faltering, but the rest of the field as well.

The only hope the field has at Bethpage is for the more rowdy crowd (compared to Augusta) to back a hot player early, otherwise I agree with Tom and Evan: It's over!

[TEPaul]

Oh, when I said I was in total agreement with Evan I didn't mean I thought the Open was over I only meant I was in total agreement with him to stick a fork in it!

I'm not real sure what he meant when he said; "Stick a fork in it"--I just sort of liked the sound of his post so I said I was in total agreement with him!

I guess I should add some architectural context to what I'm saying!

One time I asked Bill Coore who he really like in golf architecture! He said he really like Dana Fry. So I said what course of his do you really like and he said, "I've never seen anything Dana Fry's ever built, I just really like Dana Fry!"

[A_Clay_Man]

This is what makes golf so great. If there is one guy who honestly believes he can shoot a 65 or better he may win. Like Arnie in the 60's it was pure will.

Robert Allenby actually looked like he was gonna show'em today and maybe he still will.

 I don't think anyone is playing for second.

Perhaps a little more rain will give allenby an edge the way he won at Riviera? ? ? But whoever does go low has a chance if tiger plays it too safe.

[Mike_Cirba]

Just for the romantic aspect of it, I'd love to see someone like Faldo or Mickelson put on a charge and pull it out.  

Still, it will take something going awry with Tiger off the tee for it to happen, which seems unlikely.

[zzzzzzzzzzzzz]

.....Sunday's round will be just as boring.  Yes, boring. zzzz  zzzzzz   zzzzzzzz zzzzzzz  

[TEPaul]

zzzzzzz:

I tell you what! If someone can manage to wake you up tomorrow why don't you tune in to Soccer? Maybe you'll find that more scintillating! Or better yet, do something that's guaranteed to excite you like take a nap!

[Mike_Cirba]

Tom,

If both of us don't get to bed soon (1:40am), I have a hunch we'll both need a nap come 4:00pm, no matter who's winning!

[TEPaul]

Say goodnight Tom.

Goodnight Tom!

Tom

[Darrin]

Gentlemen:

I have the sad feeling that I have danced this dance before.  

Face it, the only way Tiger can blow a 4 shot lead will be if his driving goes astray.  But everytime (EVERYTIME!) this week he's missed the fairway, he's "miraculously" had either a bare lie or playable lie.  For God's sake the guy is great enough on his own talent -- does he really need to be lucky too on each and every mis-hit?  

I also believe tomorrow will be a much more difficult scoring day.  Some weather models kick up a stiff SW breeze (15-20 mph) in the afternoon.  If this verifies, it may just be too tough for Sergio or Phil to muster a 65.  Who knows, maybe Johnny Miller is right -- maybe the law of averages will finally catch up with Tiger and he'll shoot 75.  I just wouldn't bet on it.

[Brian Phillips]

Darrin,

If the wind does get up do you not think that it will suit Sergio more than Tiger.  I have never seen Tiger play well in a stiff breeze yet.

I don't think Sergio has it in him yet to win a major because of his mental game and that the crowds are not exactly his best friend at the moment.

Brian.

[Patrick_Mucci]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,

You must have been sleeping, Saturday's round was anything but boring, or perhaps you didn't realize that you were watching soccer  

[Paul Turner]

Brian

Re: Wind and Tiger vs Sergio

Can't agree, Tiger was close to winning at Birkdale, when it really blew, and he played pretty well at Carnoustie (top 10).  I can't remember ever seeing Sergio play well in a high wind, I think he almost came dead last at Carnoustie.

[A_Clay_Man]

It would be amazing if the last round today is as boring as the final rnd of the Masters.

If todays rnd is exciting, I say it will be the course that makes it so. Which implies that it was the courses new set-up at ANGC that made it such a yawner.

[Andy Hodson]

Umm...let's see. A player has a four shot lead going into the final round at the US Open. That player hits it farther than anyone else, is making more clutch putts than anyone else, has bigger cojones than anyone else, was born and bred for just these situations, loves (and as a consequence, thrives on) these situations, and is just plain smarter than anyone else....and has his own Barcolounger set up in the heads of everyone else...and we think there is a chance in Hades of anyone else challenging him. It may get closer early...

Tiger by 7.

[TEPaul]

I just want to see one or some of the players in shouting distance play some really inspired golf today. There'll likely be some memorable shots but this is the Open, bad rough situation in need of real Open course management--fairways and greens will be at the usual premium with all of them including Woods! But if he can keep it somewhere around par he should win. Miller is right though if one of a handful plus can shoot 65-66 or better it could be interesting! I have a feeling some or someone will make a real run at the course but of course if that happens to be Woods--forgetaboutit!

[Joe Hancock]

Mr. Mahaffey,

I hope you have a feeling that you're going to throw birdies at me when we golf together!

Looking forward to it,

Joe