U.S. OPEN GOES TO OLYMPIC……

by Mike Livingston; Co-Host, The CaddyShack Radio Show
When the dust (or in this case, fog and mist) had settled at the U.S. Open at the famed Olympic Club in San Francisco two Sundays ago, I wonder how many upon reflection, found it was Olympic itself that was the ultimate winner of this year’s Championship. Strange….. What a long, strange trip it was through the four days in San Francisco. So many stories, so many leaderboard changes but then again, that’s what you normally expect at an Open, especially with today’s extended television coverage.
This year was no exception as we saw several compelling dramas within the competition itself. There was the 42-year old Georgian amateur who finally qualified for the open after 24 years of trying by winning in a 5-for-3 playoff with a 14-foot birdie putt in his Georgia sectional qualifying when he had actually thought about not even trying again this year; there was 48-year old club pro Dennis Miller who made a birdie putt from the fringe in a playoff during his sectional qualifying on Ohio only he didn’t see it! That’s right….when the putt sat on the lip he initially stopped and turned around in disgust as the putt then fell in, to be seen by all but Miller; there was John Peterson….Who? John Peterson. Exactly. The guy played out of his mind but look him up and you’ll have trouble finding a profile because he’s played in so many places! He ended up tied for 4th with Jim Furyk, Dufner, Harrington & David Toms…..how’s that work for ya? And of course, the best story of the Open….17-year old amateur Beau Hossler who, at one point on Friday, lead his idol Tiger Woods and everyone else in the World with his name on top of the U.S. Open leaderboard. Not bad for a kid looking for a summer job. He had a tough Sunday shooting 76, but earned incredible respect from the players and America and looks to have a tremendous future, as soon as he gets through Algebra.
When the sun finally set, it was American Webb Simpson outlasting what looked like an exhausted field, seemingly limping to the finish line. Tiger faded early and some of the other challengers did along the way, as well. For much of the back nine it appeared there was a realistic chance that two-time winner Ernie Els might have one more in him as he played an outstanding round but came up a bit short in one of his best performances in recent memory. The final leaderboard showed Michael Thompson and 2010 winner Graeme McDowell tied for second.
The summer presses on and there is still only one place to talk golf on Saturday mornings……it’s YOUR wake-up call!!!! It’s the Caddy Shack on KNEWS 94.3 FM…..Tune-in, we want to hear from you!……Fore!
Mike Livingston is the Co-Host of The Caddy Shack Radio Show on KNEWS 94.3 FM on Saturday Mornings from 6:00-8:00 a.m.; Additionally, Mike is the Director of Management for Personalized Property Management Company, in Cathedral City.