443 334 434 = 32 + 30-40 MPH of wind = Greatest Back 9 in Championship History?

[Bill_McBride]

I played golf with Andrew Magee (Magee will do the BBC broadcast for the Ryder Cup) Saturday and we both agreed that Harrington will be the most daunting player against the US at the RC.   

Will Montie be on the team? 

[Jim Nugent]

Just saw some interesting stats about the PGA.  Harrington hit 41 greens for the tournament, and 11 on Sunday.  But he took only 26 putts the last day, and 108 in all.  That ranked him 2nd in the field. 

Garcia hit 43 greens for the tournament, and 14 on Sunday.  He took 30 putts the last day, and 115 in all.  Tied for 12th.

Curtis hit 45 greens (T-6), and 14 on Sunday.  He took 30 putts the last day, and 118 in all.  Tied for 23rd. 

                    Par 3's     Par 4's    Par 5's     # Birdies
Harrington.....+1............-1...........-3.................20
Garcia............+2............+3..........-6.................10
Curtis.............+6............-3...........-4.................16

Real surprised Garcia only made 10 birdies.  He also had one eagle, where the other two made zero. 

Putting trumped GIR for the top contenders. 

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Curtis will play for the US, but he made a huge number of friends on the UK side of the pond when he won the Open at Sandwich - his demeanour, his rapport with members, his humility. He did exceptionally well at Birkdale, too. He's got that charm which allows supporters of both sides to support him. It may not be unique - Watson, Woods and Nicklaus will always be considered honorary Brits - but it is to his great credit that he is so appreciated on these shores.

[Phil McDade]

Mike, I found it even more impressive.  Two 66's in a row.  Great shot after great shot, with supernatural putting.  And this time he was challenged right to his last putt. 

Stunning display of golf by Paddy.  Man, the Euros must be feeling awfully good about the RC. 

66 + 66 = 132 on the last day of the Open on that course?  Could be the best single day of golf in majors' history, up there with Johnny Miller's 63 at Oakmont, but morning and afternoon rounds.  His putting down the stretch was unreal and demoralized Sergio.

Bill:

Venturi went 66-70 in searing heat at Congressional in '64 to come back from six down after two rounds to win the US Open. Maybe not as low as Paddy, but considering the conditions, it was an awfully good day.

[Mark Pearce]

Curtis will play for the US, but he made a huge number of friends on the UK side of the pond when he won the Open at Sandwich - his demeanour, his rapport with members, his humility. He did exceptionally well at Birkdale, too. He's got that charm which allows supporters of both sides to support him. It may not be unique - Watson, Woods and Nicklaus will always be considered honorary Brits - but it is to his great credit that he is so appreciated on these shores.

Absolutely true.  Curtis is one of the few US golfers who I and my friends might root for against a European.  He was a great ambassador for US golf at Sandwich and seems to have a sufficiently well balanced attitude to take that extraordinary and premature win and continue to develop his game to the point where he is once again contending in majors.

[Bill_McBride]

Mike, I found it even more impressive.  Two 66's in a row.  Great shot after great shot, with supernatural putting.  And this time he was challenged right to his last putt. 

Stunning display of golf by Paddy.  Man, the Euros must be feeling awfully good about the RC. 

66 + 66 = 132 on the last day of the Open on that course?  Could be the best single day of golf in majors' history, up there with Johnny Miller's 63 at Oakmont, but morning and afternoon rounds.  His putting down the stretch was unreal and demoralized Sergio.

Bill:

Venturi went 66-70 in searing heat at Congressional in '64 to come back from six down after two rounds to win the US Open. Maybe not as low as Paddy, but considering the conditions, it was an awfully good day.

No argument.  That's the reason the last day is one round now instead of that grueling 36 holes.

[PThomas]

Mike, I found it even more impressive.  Two 66's in a row.  Great shot after great shot, with supernatural putting.  And this time he was challenged right to his last putt. 

Stunning display of golf by Paddy.  Man, the Euros must be feeling awfully good about the RC. 

66 + 66 = 132 on the last day of the Open on that course?  Could be the best single day of golf in majors' history, up there with Johnny Miller's 63 at Oakmont, but morning and afternoon rounds.  His putting down the stretch was unreal and demoralized Sergio.

Bill:

Venturi went 66-70 in searing heat at Congressional in '64 to come back from six down after two rounds to win the US Open. Maybe not as low as Paddy, but considering the conditions, it was an awfully good day.

No argument.  That's the reason the last day is one round now instead of that grueling 36 holes.

another great finish, though not on one day:  Larry Nelsons 65-67 in his 1983 Oakmont win