Humor in US Open Pairings

[Ronald Montesano]

Looking at TH-FR Pairings (http://www.usopen.com/en_US/scoring/groupings.html) I like these two consecutive groups:

14-Three ways to spell Chuck;
15-Three long putters.

Are there any other groupings where all three have a unique connection? Group 5 has a US Am @ Olympic final rematch of Knost v. Thompson, but I don't believe that Steve Marino figures in any way.

[Dan Herrmann]

The Korean group will have an enthusiastic following, I'm sure.

[Michael Tamburrini]

I'm probably alone in this but I find their groupings a bit pathetic. The tournament is interesting enough without trying to attract attention by coming up with wacky groups.

And it's not funny. Where was the wit last year in grouping all the players of the same nationality together? And Mickelson and Woods together... Gee, not tried that since 2008. World 1,2 and 3 together... Also used it before.

Just have a draw and let fate decide who gets the easier 9th tee start. The current trend of having two supergroups spoils the TV coverage and also completely skews the crowd distribution. 

[Rich Goodale]

Completely agree, Michael.  How about a real draw, random and aw that, as a draw should be.  Of course all the other majors are just as goofy in this regard--gives the blazer brigades something to chuckle about over their pinnk gins--so I am not hopeful.....

[Mark Pearce]

In previous years there has been a group made up of players that no-one else wants to play with.  I can't work out if there is one this year and, if there is, which group it is.

Other than that, though nI agree with Michael and Rich.  A random draw would be much better.

[Keith OHalloran]

I don't know the reputation of Bjorn or Grace, but I would think Na would be a contender for the group that people do not want to play with.

[Mark Pearce]

I saw that group but I think Bjorn is pretty popular, at least on the European Tour.

[Tim Martin]

I saw that group but I think Bjorn is pretty popular, at least on the European Tour.

I have read the same about Bjorn in that he has a good sense of humor and is very popular among his peers.

[Doug Sobieski]

Grouping 22 - Three players that are normally referred to by three names (hyphenated and otherwise).

The USGA has been doing this for at least 30 years, so I find no issue with it.

[Scott_Burroughs]

#33 is the long bomber grouping (moreso than the Bubba/Tiger/Floppy group, which are all former Masters winners)

#35 is all-U.K. and the recent #1-ranked players in the world

#41 are all former U.S. Open winners

#12 are all former PGA Championship winners

#39 are all major winners

#16 is the all-Robert gorup

[Tom Allen]

They missed one.  Could have put Crane, Herron, and Byrd together.

[Matthew Rose]

They missed one.  Could have put Crane, Herron, and Byrd together.

Or Goosen.

[mike_beene]

Is there any informal unknown process where a player can say please never again on a first two round pairing?It must have happened before.

[Howard Riefs]

Golfweek's Jeff Rude looks at the "fun pairings" and if there's any benefit:

http://golfweek.com/news/2012/jun/12/rude-do-we-benefit-usgas-unique-pairings/

There’s the glamor trio of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson. World 1-2-3 Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood. The alphabet-soup gathering of K.J. (Choi), K.T. (Kim) and Y.E. (Yang). The sound-alikes of Charl (Schwartzel), Carl (Pettersson) and Charles (Howell III). Heart-warming qualifying protagonists Casey Martin and Dennis Miller. Bombers Alvaro Quiros and Gary Woodland. Flashy heartthrob youngsters Rickie Fowler and Ryo Ishikawa.

[Howard Riefs]

They missed one.  Could have put Crane, Herron, and Byrd together.

Or Goosen.

or Fowler

[Jim Tang]

I think the USGA is a bit out of control w/ their pairings.  This is a national championship, afterall.

[Paul Jones]

For a sport most regard as "stuffy", I think it is funny and good to see.