Quick 18: Can a European win the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach?
By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
1. Finally. Lee Westwood has been tiptoeing around that second PGA TOUR win and now he's got it. Like everyone else, Q-18 was wondering if one of those putts was ever going to drop in the playoff, but it did. Could he ride the momentum to his first major? If he can bounce back from Memphis' oppressive heat, he'll be in the mix. He's been on this radar since before the Masters. Just saying.
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2. Another week, another couple of European Ryder Cuppers in the spotlight. Not time for panic, but Q-18 is sure Corey Pavin would like to see some of his contenders jumping in there too.
3. It's official. Well, it will be Wednesday. Phil Mickelson hits middle age. Yes, he'll turn 40 the day before the U.S. Open begins. Hard to believe that he made his professional debut -- and missed the cut -- at the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble. He closed out his 30s with a win at the Masters. Can he open his 40s with the major that keeps eluding him?
4. It was a star-studded weekend at Pebble with the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Adam Scott on the course. Phil was at home working on his putting, but made two trips to Pebble last week. He'll be back on the course today.
5. It's hard not to look back at 2000, isn't it? It was an amazing week, a dominating performance and the start of that Tiger Slam. It was one for the ages. A decade later, though? What a difference. The swing isn't as consistent, he's been through a scandal, knee surgery and well, everyone's wondering if his swing will behave and if he'll contend. Expect to see him on the board -- just not running away and hiding again.
6. One of the best lines in '00 came from Els, the runner-up. "Finishing second is good," he said, "but it's kind of embarrassing being 15 shots back."
7. Don't stray too far from the usual pedigreed suspects when it comes to predicting a winner at Pebble. Jack Nicklaus won in 1972, Tom Watson in 1982, Tom Kite in 1992, Tiger in 2000 and Lanny Wadkins won the PGA there in 1977.
8. Temperatures. With the forecast calling for 60s most of the week, the U.S. Open will be a welcome respite from the oven-like heat that has spread over much of the middle and south -- feels like August -- and the last three events where players came off the course drained.
9. What will it cost to play a round at Pebble? Try a hefty $495. A bit expensive for most of us? Indeed. Yet the course runs about 50,000 rounds a year.
10. To the Wayback Machine, Part I: Do you remember what Kite did to prep the week before Pebble in 1992? He took his family to the U.S. Gymnastics Trials in Baltimore because he wanted then 10-year-old daughter Stephanie to see what it took to be the best. Q-18 was at the trials and at the airport the next day when Kite was searching for one of his twin son's favorite toys. Steph went on to compete at Alabama.
11. To the Wayback Machine, Part II: Raise your hand if you remember Nick Faldo going out on a limb -- literally -- in the second round in '92. Faldo had to jump into the oak tree on the 14th hole in search of a lost ball. He shook the tree, couldn't find it and had to play his provisional. Four holes earlier, he had to take an unplayable in the bunker at 9 and wound up with five freakish penalty shots in one round. He tied for fourth, five shots behind Kite.
12. Q-18 and company won't have to look far this week for a story. The one that will tug at everyone is Erik Compton. The two-time heart transplant recipient was exhausted after four rounds at the Memorial, but teed it up in the 36-hole Monday qualifier and made the field. A victory in itself? Yes, but you know Compton wants more.
13. Could a European win this week? Odds say no since the only one in 8˝ decades has been Tony Jacklin in 1970. Prior to Jacklin it was Willie McFarlane in 1925. But with five Europeans in the top 10 in the world, can you say law of averages? Just the sheer numbers put a smile on Jacklin's face. "How many does England have in the field -- 13?" he told The Independent. "That's incredible. Just think, back in 1970 I was not just the only Briton but the sole European. Just me. I was the Lone Ranger." For the record, Q-18 counts 13 Englishmen, one Welshman and four Irish lads in the field.
14. It'll be strange not seeing two of the spring's headline makers -- amateur Jordan Spieth and hip Rickie Fowler -- at Pebble Beach. Neither qualified. Ditto for Justin Rose.
15. Hanging onto No. 1? No, we're not talking Tiger. We're talking Jiyai Shin. She finally grabs the top spot in the women's rankings, then gets appendicitis. She's hoping to return in time for the LPGA's second major -- the LPGA Championship -- in two weeks. But that may be seriously optimistic.
16. Memo to Robert Garrigus: you're not the only one who had a bad weekend. England's World Cup goalie Robert Green has an entire country shaking its collective head at his brain blip Saturday. What cures all ills? Bouncing back.
17. Boston Red Sox alums Curt Schilling, Luis Tiant and Jim Lonborg and former Celtic Dave Cowens were among those swinging away at the George H.W. Bush Cape Arundel Celebrity Golf Classic in Kennebunkport, Maine. Bush 41 didn't play in the event, but he did drop in to say hi. He turned 86 Saturday.
18. A dog named Phil? Absolutely. Seve Ballesteros, who continues to battle brain cancer, named his new Labrador puppy after Lefty following his inspiring win at the Masters.
Melanie Hauser is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. Her views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.
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