Wayne,
Believe me - nothing was compromised in the stroke play setup. Yes, it will get tougher as the week goes on, but that's just how tournaments go. I hope they never reduce the field.
Jamie,
My friend caddied for Drew and I got to chat with him and his parents. Very nice family. Unfortunately Drew got waxed today. He was 7 down after 10. Drew played badly and his opponent hit some amazing shots.
Wednesday, August 22
Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a bag today but that did allow me to watch a number of different players.
The golf course changed dramatically today. It is much, much firmer than it was for stroke play, and the fairways are getting that shiny, distressed look.
Of course, that firmness made the golf course play shorter too. Drew's opponent had 85 yards into the 440 yard #6. Jamie and his opponent both hit it 325 on #9 and 300, into the wind, on #11.
Hole #3 played from the 250 yard back tee but a lot of players still hit 4 and 5 irons.
Also the USGA mowed a strip of secondary rough, around 3", like they introduced at Winged Foot last summer. It was surprising to see them actually lower the rough for the start of match play.
Unfortunately the local contingent was disappointed as Joe Bramlett lost in 19 holes and Randy Haag made a 6 on #18 to lose 1 down.
I watched Jamie Lovemark play today and was very impressed. He's relaxed and calm, he hits it a mile and straight up in the air, and obviously putts and chips very well.
In addition to the old man match (Zahringer v. Wolstenholme), I was also heartened to see the short man match (Ellis v. Cauley) as neither player eclipsed 5'5.
I think they used up their entire supply of K's for the standard bearers in the Kokrak v. Oleksak match. Kokrak really does hit it a long way - 3 iron 260 off #14, for example. He reached #1 with two iron shots. He doesn't really look like a US Amateur winner, but then again, he's already beat the entire field once this week.
It will be interesting to see whether Rickie Fowler is named to the Walker Cup team. He lost in the playoff to get into match play. He's the world's #1 ranked amateur, but wasn't selected in the initial eight.