Golf - Latest: US PGA Championship, Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, New York (8-11 August)

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Masters 2013: Guan Tianlang, 14, makes cut despite penalty

 

Teenager Guan Tianlang was penalised for slow play at Augusta, but his overall score of four over was still enough to see him become the youngest golfer to make the cut at a major.

 

Guan, 14, was given the one-stroke penalty after making par on the 17th, having earlier been warned for slow play during the Masters second round.

 

The Chinese player said: "I respect the decision. This is what they can do."

 

Gregory Bourdy, at the 2010 US PGA, was the last to be penalised for slow play.

 

Guan carded 16 pars in total, although the one on 17 became a bogey after the European Tour's chief referee John Paramor alerted him of the penalty.

 

The teenager said he took extra time trying to gauge the tricky wind conditions.

 

"This still is a wonderful experience," he said. "I enjoyed this week so far and think I did a pretty good job."

 

Masters competition committee chairman Fred Ridley released a statement explaining that the Chinese amateur and playing partners Ben Crenshaw and Matteo Manassero were deemed out of position on the 10th hole.

 

Guan began being timed on the 12th hole, received his first warning after his second shot on the 13th, then was penalised after his second shot on the 17th "when he again exceeded the 40-second time limit by a considerable margin".

 

Despite the setback, the teenager went on to par the last for a 75, to go with his first-round 73.

 

He is exactly 10 shots behind tournament leader Jason Day of Australia.

 

Two-time winner Crenshaw said: "This is not going to end pretty. I'm sick for him [Guan]. I feel terrible. He is 14 years old. I'm so sorry this has happened."

 

Manassero held the record of being the youngest to make a major cut when at the age of 16 he qualified for the last two days of the 2009 Open.

 

The Italian said Guan did take too long on his shots.

 

"I think it's the biggest thing he needs to be careful about, because I think he's ready," said Manassero, who is five over for the championship after shooting a 74.

 

"When the caddie pulls the club for him, I think he's ready. But most of the times that he takes a little too long he just asks questions that I think he knows, but just to be sure, just to be clear in his mind.

 

"We all feel sorry, but this is the way professional golf goes.

 

"This will end up being a great experience for him."

 

Fred Couples, the 1992 champion, was reluctant to criticise Guan's penalty saying the rules should be applied just as strictly to the teenager despite his tender years.

 

"The soft-coated answer would be I feel bad, but I also feel like they just don't go around handing out one-shot penalties here," he said.

 

"I don't even know of anyone who has ever got one.

 

"It feels hard to give a 14-year-old a penalty, but he's in the field. He beat a lot of guys yesterday, whatever the age he is."

 

Guan also became the youngest player to make the cut in a PGA Tour event, breaking the 56-year-old record held by Canadian Bob Panasik, who was 15 when he made it through to the last two rounds of the 1957 Canadian Open.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22129753

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Tiger Woods faces Masters investigation after 'illegal drop' claims

 

• Tiger Woods faces anxious wait before Masters third round

• Masters officials expected to review claims of an illegal drop

 

Officials at the Masters are today expected to review claims that Tiger Woods took an illegal drop during yesterday's second round at Augusta.

 

Woods' bid for a fifth Masters title has been cast into some doubt amid apparent confusion over the penalty incurred after his pitch to the 15th hit the pin and bounced back into the water.

 

There was no hint of controversy when Woods returned to replay his shot from the same area his initial shot ended up finding the water.

 

But following his press conference, after signing for a one-under-par 71, there were claims Woods had dropped the ball further away from the initial position than permitted.

 

The United States Golf Association rule 26-1a states that a player must take their drop "as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played", but Woods suggested he had opted to take he re-stroke "two yards away" from the original position.

 

That has prompted the claims that Woods contravened the drop rule and that he should have instead incurred a two-stroke penalty, instead of the extra shot he signed for.

 

Explaining the circumstances around his drop Woods, who is three shots behind leader Jason Day, said: "I went down to the drop area, that wasn't going to be a good spot, because obviously it's into the grain, it's really grainy there.

 

"And it was a little bit wet. So it was muddy and not a good spot to drop.

 

"So I went back to where I played it from, but I went two yards further back.

 

"I tried to take two yards off the shot of what I felt I hit - that should land me short of the flag and not have it either hit the flag or skip over the back.

 

"I felt that that was going to be the right decision to take off four right there. And I did. It worked out perfectly."

 

Former world top-10 player David Howell believes, however, that Woods could be disqualified for his actions, saying that he was "right on the limit" in terms of where he took his drop.

 

"One more yard and Tiger is getting disqualified I don't think any rules official would be able to give him that much leeway," Howell told Sky Sports.

 

"He was right on the limit.

 

"Only Tiger knows whether he deliberately chose to go one yard further back because he preferred an extra yard. I know it sounds unbelievably precise.

 

"He may have preferred one more yard. If he's done that he should be disqualified - he is the only person that knows that.

 

"If he hasn't and he has just thought that is near enough then I think there is enough leeway for him to stay in the competition.

 

"It seems unbelievably harsh but only he knows really."

 

Should Woods be sanctioned it would be the second major decision to come from yesterday's round after officials handed Chinese teenager Guan Tianlang a one-stroke penalty for slow play.

 

Guan, at 14 the youngest ever player at Augusta, was given his penalty on the 17th hole after previously being warned that he was taking too long over his shots.

 

After Woods was informed of that decision in his press conference he said: "Well, rules are rules.

 

"We have had a case of slow play for some of the guys out here on Tour and we have our policies.

 

"And, unfortunately, he either didn't pick it up or sometimes you can get guys who are hitting shots or backing off a couple shots and you can get weird times. It can happen. I don't know what his situation is, but it's unfortunate."

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/apr/13/tiger-woods-masters-investigation

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The Masters 2013: Tiger Woods facing potential disqualification over incorrect drop on 15th hole

 

Tiger Woods could face disqualification from the 77th Masters after an alleged illegal drop shot on the 15th hole during his second round of 71 on Friday.

 

The incident occurred when the World No 1's third shot on the par-five 15th hit the flag stick and spun back into the water. He chose against playing from the drop-zone and instead went back to where his original shot was played. He then – by his own admission – moved two yards back, before producing a superb shot to limit the damage to a bogey.

 

But USPGA rule 26-1 says that Woods should have played his second attempt as near as possible from the spot of the first – not two yards back. After his round, which left him three-under for the weekend, he said: "I went down to the drop area, that wasn't going to be a good spot, because obviously it's into the grain, it's really grainy there. And it was a little bit wet. So it was muddy and not a good spot to drop. So I went back to where I played it from, but I went two yards further back. I tried to take two yards off the shot of what I felt I hit - that should land me short of the flag and not have it either hit the flag or skip over the back. I felt that that was going to be the right decision to take off four right there. And I did. It worked out perfectly."

 

This admission could land him in hot water, though, as it may be interpreted as a breach of the rules, which would result in a two-shot penalty. But since he has already signed his scorecard, an incorrect scorecard could result in his disqualification from the tournament. Woods' alleged offence is the safe side of marginal, meaning he will probably escape without punishment, which may draw accusations of favouritism since Chinese teenager Tianlang Guan was given a rare penalty for slow play.

 

Former world top-10 player David Howell said he believed Woods could be disqualified as he was "right on the limit" of where he took the drop. "One more yard and Tiger is getting disqualified I don't think any rules official would be able to give him that much leeway," Howell told Sky Sports. He was right on the limit. Only Tiger knows whether he deliberately chose to go one yard further back because he preferred an extra yard. I know it sounds unbelievably precise. He may have preferred one more yard. If he's done that he should be disqualified - he is the only person that knows that. If he hasn't and he has just thought that is near enough then I think there is enough leeway for him to stay in the competition. It seems unbelievably harsh but only he knows really."

 

USPGA Rule 26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard

 

It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard. In the absence of knowledge or virtual certainty that a ball struck toward a water hazard, but not found, is in the hazard, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.

 

If a ball is found in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:

 

a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or

 

b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or

 

c. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.

 

When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/mastersaugusta/9991809/The-Masters-2013-Tiger-Woods-facing-potential-disqualification-over-incorrect-drop-on-15th-hole.html

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oops Tiger Woods. When America wakes up will the Masters have lost its biggest star?

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Joshua Gilmore‏@Joshi199132s

@TigerWoods caught dropping his balls in the wrong place again.... oh dear.

 

Breaking Sports News‏@sports_newslivenow

Once again Tiger Woods has been caught putting his balls in the wrong place #masters

 

Chris Walker ‏@CmcfcWalker now

Loves a bit of cheating Tiger Woods doesn't he? :-)

 

Jon Jones ‏@Jon_Jones1 now

Tiger Woods getting laid again although this time its only on betfair.

 

Don Macpherson ‏@MacphersonGaz now

So #Tiger Woods cheats at golf, too?

 

:lol:

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Masters 2013: Tiger Woods given two-shot Masters penalty

 

Tiger Woods has escaped disqualification from the Masters after instead being given a two-stroke penalty for an illegal drop.

 

The world number one said his drop at the 15th was "two yards away" from the original spot on Friday, which should have incurred a two-stroke penalty.

 

That would mean he had signed an incorrect scorecard, for which the penalty is usually disqualification.

 

Woods will start his third round on one under, five behind leader Jason Day.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22134938

[coldplaymom]

4th win of the year and it's only May

 

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US Open 2013: Tiger Woods favourite as Merion braced for rain

 

The 113th US Open gets under way at Merion near Philadelphia on Thursday with thunderstorms and high winds forecast to hamper the first round.

 

The iconic East course was hit by heavy rain on Monday and organisers are braced for up to three inches more. "It depends on what hits or how unlucky we are," said event chief Mike Davis.

 

Tiger Woods is the favourite to secure a first major title since 2008 and will play with 2011 champion Rory McIlroy and Masters winner Adam Scott. Merion is hosting the US Open for the fifth time in its history but the first since 1981, after which it was thought to be too short for the modern game and the expanding infrastructure needed at a major tournament.

 

At 6,996 yards, Merion is the first US Open venue under 7,000 yards since Shinnecock Hills in 2004. Its unique blend of short and long holes, narrow fairways, thick rough and challenging greens offer its main defence, requiring precision off the tee and an in-form wedge game.

 

Some fear the short layout, softened by rain, could see the tournament-record round of 63 threatened, but Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell disagrees. "I think they're underestimating it," said the 2010 US Open champion. "I think there's 10 or 11 holes on this course that are as tough as any US Open I've seen. The last five holes, I can't think of a tougher finish at a US Open."

 

Woods, the 14-time major champion, has won four times this season and had a controversial near-miss at the Masters when he was penalised two shots for an illegal drop, finishing tied fourth. The 37-year-old could join the list of famous winners at Merion which includes Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Lee Trevino, but Woods suffered an aberration in the recent Memorial tournament to end tied 65th and is not getting carried away.

 

"We've got a long way to go," said the American, whose last major win came five years ago when he clinched the US Open on a broken leg at Torrey Pines. "I just enter events to win and that's it, whether there's a lot of people following or there's nobody out there. That's why I played as a junior, all the way through to now is just to try to kick everyone's butt. That to me is the rush. That's the fun. That's the thrill."

 

World number two McIlroy won the first of his two majors with a record 16 under par in a rain-softened US Open at Congressional in 2011, but is winless this season and missed the cut at Wentworth at the end of last month. "It feels very close, I'm driving the ball well and my iron play's great and if I put it all together I feel like I can have a great week," said the 22-year-old.

 

McDowell, who was tied second behind Webb Simpson at Olympic Club last year, has won twice this term, sandwiched by two missed cuts, and is talked of as another likely contender. American world number four Matt Kuchar is the only other player, along with Woods and McDowell, to have won more than once this season.

 

England is still chasing a first US Open winner since Tony Jacklin in 1970, but Justin Rose and Luke Donald, ranked fifth and sixth in the world, possess the type of controlled games that might prosper at Merion. Lee Westwood is another tipped to do well, with nine top 10s in his last 14 majors, including the last two US Opens.

 

The first groups tee off the first and 11th tees at 11:45 BST (06:45 local time) on Thursday, with the bad weather due to come in during the afternoon.

 

Merion's iconic wicker baskets instead of flags

 

Woods, McIlroy and Scott are set to tee off at 18:14 BST, with Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer away at 17:52 BST.

 

Kuchar and Rose play together at 12:22 BST ahead of five-time US Open runner Phil Mickelson, while Sergio Garcia, who shook hands with Woods on Monday and left a note of apology in his locker to try to resolve their recent row, starts at 12:44 BST.

 

The last 10 US Open winners

 

2012: Webb Simpson (US)

2011: Rory McIlroy (NI)

2010: Graeme McDowell (NI)

2009: Lucas Glover (US)

2008: Tiger Woods (US)

2007: Angel Cabrera (Arg)

2006: Geoff Ogilvy (Aus)

2005: Michael Campbell (NZ)

2004: Retief Goosen (SA)

2003: Jim Furyk (US)

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22882916

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US Open: Rory McIlroy happy with conditions at Merion

 

Rory McIlroy says he is close to the form that could see him turn a disappointing 2013 around as he prepares for the US Open at Merion.

 

The world number two, not at his best since his multi-million pound equipment change in January, admitted he had endured a frustrating year so far. But he believed the Pennsylvania course and conditions would suit him.

 

"The fact the course is playing a bit softer definitely gives me an advantage," said the Northern Irishman. "It is probably going to play into my hands a bit more and my iron play is dialled in. As long as I can put it in the fairway I can take advantage of it."

 

McIlroy has been paired with Tiger Woods and Masters champion Adam Scott in the opening two rounds as the USGA continued its tradition of putting the world's top three in the same group.

 

The 24-year-old hopes to take advantage of being in such a high-profile group despite lowered expectations due to his relatively poor form in 2013.

 

"It is always nice to be part of a group like that," McIlroy added. "It is something I am excited about. I like it because there is a lot of buzz and atmosphere and it gets you focused from the first shot."

 

McIlroy added: "It has been a frustrating year. If you had told me we would be at this point and I had not won and had been playing the way I had, I would have been disappointed. But I feel good about my game and it is just about staying patient and knowing that it is going to turn around eventually. It is all heading in the right direction. This would be the perfect place to get back into contention."

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22866530

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US Open: Waterlogged Merion widens nets of potential winners

 

If there was ever a US Open that needed to be blessed with fine weather it was the one to be staged here at Merion this week.

 

This was going to be a championship where for once size wouldn't matter. The ability to blast the ball miles would be superseded by a challenge of finesse and accuracy.

 

But for that scenario to play out, this historic course needed to be dry and firm. Instead it has been battered by successive deluges that have brought six inches of rain to the area.

 

Brooks are close to bursting point and there are doomsday scenarios being considered that might even involve using holes from the adjacent Merion West course.

 

This, sadly, is a week for wellies and waterproofs. Think the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and you are not too far from the situation greeting the world's best players.

 

So how does this alter the outlook for the second major of the year?

 

USGA executive director Mike Davis says: "If you saw Merion firm for four straight days versus soft for four straight days, you might see an 18- to 20-shot difference in the winning score."

 

Had the 6,996-yard par-70 layout been dry with thick penal rough, the target would have been a touch under level par. Now it is likely to be much lower. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that we see the first 62 at a major. Mud-balls may prove Merion's biggest defence.

 

"If you are on your game you are going to have a lot of birdie putts," said Open champion Ernie Els. Given the modest length of the course, players will be using a driver only half a dozen times a round and often wedged approaches can be set up by mere long irons from the tee.

 

There are few better players from within 100 yards than England's Luke Donald. He scouted the course last week before the rains struck. Even though the character of the East Course has been radically altered since then, he doesn't feel his mission was time wasted.

 

"This is a course that has quite a lot of blind tee shots," he told BBC Sport. "The greens won't have changed too much in terms of the lines they'll putt so it was good to come here. For the bulk of the players, this is a new place and it's about learning the course, feeling comfortable about it and feeling good about the lines off the tees. The course will play a lot softer now. The par fives are very long. I would have loved to have got a little roll off some of those tee shots. It's going to be tough - even the 18th [a 521-yard par 4], if the wind is into me, is going to be two of my best shots just get home in two. But any time you get soft greens it is going to take the edge off some of those short game shots around the greens, so that could be a benefit for me. Sometimes majors are so difficult around the greens then no matter how good your short game is you are not going to get it close. With softer conditions, hopefully touch around the greens will come more into play."

 

Donald's preparation has centred around wedge play from 120 yards in. Even with the change in conditions, this remains the area where the 113th US Open will be decided. If the Englishman is to be a factor, a quiet season has to come alive this week. He feels it is close but is also aware the rains have widened the net of potential winners.

 

The last time the US Open was staged here in 1981 precision triumphed when David Graham came home in 67 to claim victory. He missed only one fairway - the first by matter of inches - in a round that was praised to the heights by Ben Hogan. The 1950 champion at Merion purred with delight as he watched on television, and he later told the Australian it was one of the greatest rounds he had ever seen.

 

And finding fairways remains the number one priority at the Pennsylvania course this week because the rains have rendered the rough even more brutal. So who are the most likely candidates? Tiger Woods's form this year makes him a huge and justifiable favourite. He won't mind the prospect of hitting his famous "stinger" shot to put his ball in play and leaving his driver largely redundant.

 

If his wedge is working, he might be unstoppable - but he needs to rediscover the putting touch that deserted him at the Memorial Tournament the week before last. Outside Woods, there are any number of potential winners. Europe's best hope is probably 2010 champion Graeme McDowell but the course also sets up well for players who prosper through finding fairways and greens.

 

Italy's Francesco Molinari is one who could fit that bill, and American Zach Johnson could be a threat if he can discover the form that brought him two wins last year.

 

But opportunity knocks for any number of contenders who can make the most of the soft conditions. Pins will be tucked away to try to protect the scorecard but Davis has also acknowledged that for the first round the driest spots on greens may have to take priority.

 

More showers are forecast and Thursday looks very messy with potential thunderstorms. So, as is so often the case at a US Open, precision and patience in adversity will remain key attributes.

 

But the difference with this week's conditions is that the players know an aggressive mindset can also bring rich rewards.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22865254

[Reilly]

If there was anything to be taken away from my attempt to watch golf this afternoon, it was definitely this:

 

http://www.cbssports.com/golf/blog/eye-on-golf/22403639/video-bubba-watson-and-rickie-fowler-photobomb-at-us-open

[Tnspieler1012]

If there was anything to be taken away from my attempt to watch golf this afternoon, it was definitely this:

 

http://www.cbssports.com/golf/blog/eye-on-golf/22403639/video-bubba-watson-and-rickie-fowler-photobomb-at-us-open

 

I don't care much for Rickie Fowler, but those guys have done more for golf humor than pretty much everyone else combined.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM2NocuEihw]Golf Boys - Oh Oh Oh (Official Video) - YouTube[/ame]

[Reilly]

As great as that was, the 2nd one somehow outdid it- well the song did at least but still hilarious, I assumed it would be awful and dragged out:

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiiOqybRvsM&feature=player_detailpage]Golf Boys - "2.Oh" (Official Video) - YouTube[/ame]

 

Now lets compare that with the Tennis guys effort:

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xT74EJ8vbw]Bryan Bros Band - Autograph (feat. Andy Murray & Novak Djokovic) - YouTube[/ame]

 

Thats more funny but only to laugh AT, especially Andy Murray's verse.

[busybeeburns]

Some of that rough is a bit thick, the stuff at Merion's quite straggly too!

[Tnspieler1012]

^^ Oh man, I never saw the sequel. Actually clever lyrics too.

 

Yeah, the tennis song was weak sauce, though I do find it cool that the Bryans are decent musicians.

[Reilly]

Bryan Brothers and Djoker are fine as they know they're a bit shit but the songs catchy, Murrays monotone voice however, rapping, that cracks me up so much.

 

Though one of the Bryan brothers lines was "Those Autographs ha ha- they're pretty funny".

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US Open 2013: Luke Donald leads from Phil Mickelson at Merion

 

 

US Open 2013: Luke Donald leads from Phil Mickelson at Merion

 

Luke Donald edged ahead of Phil Mickelson with his final shot to lead by one after a rain-hit first day of the 113th US Open at Merion.

 

The Englishman reached four under after 13 before play was called off, with Mickelson in the clubhouse after a 67.

 

Adam Scott also got to three under, with holder Webb Simpson, Matthew Goggin and Alistair Presnell two under.

 

Tiger Woods, who appeared to injure his left wrist, was two over after 10 with playing partner Rory McIlroy level par.

 

Play was suspended for three-and-a-half hours on Thursday morning because of severe storms and then again for a short time later in the day, leaving almost half of the field to finish their rounds at 0715 (1215 BST) on Friday.

 

Merion's iconic East course is the shortest US Open venue for nine years at 6,996 yards, but only 15 players were under par when the claxon went to call off play for the evening just before 2030 local time (0130 BST).

 

Former world number one Donald, trying to be England's first US Open winner since Tony Jacklin in 1970, has not had a top-10 finish in nine US Opens but his controlled game seems well-suited to Merion's tight layout.

 

He birdied the first and third and bogeyed the fifth before three straight birdies from 11 took him past Mickelson.

 

"The weather conditions are making the course a lot softer, and you can attack the pins a little bit more," said the 35-year-old Donald. "So it's playing as gentle as it might play so far.

 

"I've got five holes left and five pretty tough ones to finish, but really happy with the way I started my round."

 

The five-time US Open runner-up led for most of the day despite landing back in Philadephia at 0330 after dashing back to San Diego for his oldest daughter's eight grade graduation ceremony on Wednesday.

 

"I told her that I want to be there. I don't want to miss her speech. I don't want to miss her graduation," Mickelson said. "She's worked very hard and I'm very proud of her."

 

The left-hander, who will be 43 on Sunday, carded his lowest first-round score in 23 US Opens as he chases his first national title to add to three Masters and a US PGA.

 

Mickelson said he managed to get just enough sleep on his private jet and in the morning's weather delay and insists he used his travel time wisely.

 

"I was able to take the time on the plane to read my notes, study, relive the golf course, go through how I was going to play each hole, where the pins were, where I want to miss it, where I want to be, study the green charts," he said.

 

"It gave me a great few hours to study my notes and get mentally prepared."

 

Masters champion Scott, the world number three, birdied the 11th with his final shot to get to three under and pip playing partners Woods and McIlroy, the world's top two.

 

McIlroy, bidding for a third major title at just 24, also chose to finish off after the horn had sounded but missed, while Woods opted to return in the morning to attempt his short par putt.

 

Woods, who won the last of his 14 majors titles at the 2008 US Open, seemed to hurt his wrist in rough on the first hole and after a couple more twinges, suffered visible pain again on the 11th.

 

"It's going to be a fast night," Woods said after his round, while claiming the wrist to be "fine". "I've got a lot of holes to play tomorrow. And hopefully I can play a little better than I did today."

 

Belgian Ryder Cup player Nicolas Colsaerts carded a 69 for one under, the same score as Lee Westwood.

 

The Englishman was unlucky to see his approach to the 12th hit the wicker basket on top of the pin - a feature unique to Merion - and ricochet back off the green, leading to a double bogey after tieing for the lead.

 

Justin Rose ended one over after a 71, as did Ian Poulter, who led early on with three opening birdies before finding it a struggle when play resumed following the morning's weather delay.

 

Sergio Garcia, who left a note in Woods's locker to apologise for his "fried chicken" remark , admitted he was heckled on the course but declined the offer to have any of the crowd ejected.

 

"There were a couple here and there, but I felt the people were very nice for the whole day," said Garcia, who fought back to a 73 after going out in 40 with a double bogey followed by a quadruple bogey. "I think that almost all of them were behind me and that was nice to see."

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22900460

[busybeeburns]

Currently only one player under par of a field of 150, haven't seen scoring like this in a major since I think royal birkdale in 2008 and that was down to the weather not the course

 

Merion is one of the shortest courses they've played but its winning so far!

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US Open 2013: Phil Mickelson shares Merion lead

 

 

US Open 2013: Phil Mickelson shares Merion lead

 

US Open, second-round leaderboard

 

-1: Mickelson (US), Horschel (US)Level: Donald (Eng), Rose (Eng), Stricker (US), Poulter (Eng, after 14), Pan (Tai, 9)+1: Senden (Aus), Colsaerts (Bel), Kelly (US, 12), Hoffman (US, 13), Kim (US, 11)Others +3: Woods (US), McIlroy (NI), Els (SA)+7: Westwood (Eng), Scott (Aus)

 

Phil Mickelson birdied the last to join fellow American Billy Horschel in a tie for a one-shot lead at the end of day two of the US Open at Merion.

 

Mickelson hit 72 and Horschel fired a stunning three-under 67 to finish one under on a dry but difficult day.

 

Luke Donald (72), Steve Stricker (69) and Justin Rose (69) ended level with Ian Poulter and Chinese Taipei amateur Pan Cheng-Tsung, who are yet to finish.

 

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy both carded 70s to end three over.

 

Play was suspended because of light at about 20:30 local time (01:30 BST) with 68 players still to complete round two after the rain-hit opening day backed up the schedule.

 

Five-time runner-up Mickelson led at the conclusion of the first round on Friday morning, and threatened to open a sizeable gap before missing a succession of birdie putts in a sunny but breezy second round.

 

Bogeys at 12 and 13 further scuppered his challenge but a 15ft putt across the 18th green put him back on top as he chases a fourth major title on Sunday, his 43rd birthday.

 

"I had many opportunities on holes I should be able to birdie but didn't capitalise, but I played the hard holes extremely well and made pars," said the left-hander.

 

"I fought hard, hung in there, even though the score wasn't what I wanted."

 

Horschel, a PGA Tour winner this season, mastered Merion's mysteries better than anyone by hitting all 18 greens in regulation in his 67, one of only three rounds completed under par along with Stricker and Rose.

 

Donald, who led by one at four under on Thursday evening, dropped two shots in his last three holes for a first-round 68, and then dropped to one over with four straight bogeys on the back nine of his second round before rallying.

 

At 6,996 yards, Merion, which last staged a US Open in 1981, was feared to be too short by modern standards, but a combination of tight fairways, thick rough, tricky greens and difficult pin placements have kept low-scoring at bay. "I think Merion is holding its own, for sure," said Donald, who is among those aiming to be the first English winner since Tony Jacklin in 1970.

 

Fellow Englishman Poulter was one under for his second round after 14 holes when play was called off, while the 21-year-old Pan was two under for the day after nine.

 

Woods resumed at two over after 10 on Friday morning and ended with a first-round 73 before mixing three birdies with three bogeys in his second.

 

"Unless you have played practice rounds out here and you've seen the golf course, you don't realise how difficult it is," said the 14-time major champion, who was nursing an elbow injury apparently picked up at the Players Championship last month.

 

"The short holes are short, but if you miss the fairway, you can't get the ball on the green. And the longer holes are brutal.

 

"And this is probably the stiffest set of par-threes that we ever face."

 

His playing partner McIlroy dropped three shots in his last four holes to end his first round at three over and swapped four birdies with four bogeys on Friday afternoon.

 

Like Woods, he was satisfied with his situation as the tricky conditions brought the field back to them.

 

"I'm very happy," said McIlroy, the 2011 champion. "I'm in a nice position going into the last two days."

 

The projected cut to reduce the field to the top 60 and ties was estimated to come at seven over par.

 

Lee Westwood carded 77 to sit on seven over alongside Masters champion Adam Scott (75) and Scotland's Paul Lawrie, who was appointed OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

 

England's David Howell ended eight over, but Northern Irish pair Graeme McDowell, the 2010 champion, and 2011 Open winner Darren Clarke will miss the weekend at 13 and 15 over respectively.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22911477

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Mickelson in charge at maddening Merion

 

US Open, third-round leaderboard

 

-1: Mickelson (US)Level: Mahan (US), Schwartzel (SA), Stricker (US)+1: Rose (Eng), Donald (Eng), Horschel (US)+2: Day (Aus)Others: +5: Poulter (Eng)+6: Westwood (Eng), Lawrie (Sco), Els (SA)+8: McIlroy (NI)+9 : Woods (US)

 

Phil Mickelson will hope to end his US Open heartache as he takes a one-shot lead into the final round at Merion.

 

The five-time runner-up, who turns 43 on Sunday, shot 70 on an absorbing day to end one under ahead of Hunter Mahan, Steve Stricker and Charl Schwartzel.

 

England's Luke Donald double-bogeyed the last for a 71 to join countryman Justin Rose (71) and American Billy Horschel (72) at one over. Rory McIlroy (75) ended eight over and Tiger Woods (76) nine over.

 

Left-hander Mickelson, who led at the conclusion of the second round earlier on Saturday, dropped out of the lead with bogeys on the second and fifth but got the shots back at the 10th and 11th before regaining top spot with a birdie to Donald's bogey on the 254-yard par-three 17.

 

Mickelson, who has won three Masters titles and one US PGA, bogeyed the last but is excited by what lays ahead.

 

"I'm looking forward to it and the challenge of Merion. I love being in the thick of it," he said.

 

"I have had opportunities to win and it's been fun even though it has been heartbreaking to let it slide, but I feel better equipped than ever and I feel very comfortable on this course.

 

"Given that I have had some major successes I feel as equipped as I could be. I don't think I feel any more pressure than anyone else who wants to win. But it would certainly mean a lot to me."

 

The 35-year-old Donald, hoping to become the first Englishman since Tony Jacklin in 1970 to win the US Open, found rough short of the 18th green and sculled his chip across the putting surface as he amassed a six to leave a sour taste.

 

"I should have done better," said Donald, who has yet to have a top-10 finish in nine US Opens.

 

"It was disappointing but I'll take the positives out of today, a really solid 16 holes of golf that I played and I'm only two back.

 

"When you look at Phil, he started winning majors around 34 or 35 so I think that I have some time on my side, luckily, in this game. Of course that's my goal. I got to number one in the world and I've won a great amount of tournaments around the world, but I would dearly love to win one of these."

 

Rose also ended poorly with two bogeys on the final two holes, but both he and Donald are in a good position to end England's 17-year major drought stretching back to Nick Faldo's last Masters triumph in 1996.

 

"One or two shots on this golf course can disappear in a heartbeat," said Rose. "I feel like I'm in great position. If you would have said to me on Thursday morning this is where you're going to be entering Sunday, I would absolutely have taken it."

 

Australian Jason Day carded 68 for two over and American Ricky Fowler fired the round of the day - a 67 - to end three over.

 

The biggest comeback by a US Open champion in the final round is the seven strokes Arnold Palmer made up to triumph at Cherry Hills in 1960.

 

Woods and McIlroy, playing together for the third straight day, both began at three over but the world's top two players were unable to inspire each other and faded from the picture.

 

Woods, chasing a 15th major title and first since 2008, kicked off with a birdie but then leaked seven bogeys to match his worst round as a pro at the US Open.

 

"It is certainly frustrating because I certainly was feeling like I was playing well this week and I just didn't make the putts I needed to make," said the world number one, who has won four times this season and was fourth in the Masters at Augusta.

 

McIlroy, the 2011 champion, also birdied the first but drove out of bounds on the second and mixed two birdies with seven bogeys overall.

 

"If you're just not 100% on top of your game, it's going to expose some of your flaws or weaknesses," said the 24-year-old.

 

"I've been working on the swing quite hard over the last few months, and it looks really good on camera. I just get on the course and I hit a couple of bad shots and I guess that it sort of makes you lose confidence a little bit during the round.

 

"It's just a bit of a struggle and it seems like I've had a few too many tournaments this year where I've struggled in one round or a couple of rounds and not been able to put it all together.

 

"I don't feel like it's too far away at all. It's just a matter of believing and staying patient."

 

England's Ian Poulter was in serious contention after birdies at six and eight but he drove out of bounds on 15 and made a double bogey before dropping two more shots on 16 and 18 for a 73 and five over.

 

Countryman Lee Westwood carded a one-under 69, which included four birdies to finish, to end six over alongside countryman Paul Casey (71), Scotland's Paul Lawrie (69) and Open champion Ernie Els (73).

 

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington (75), England's John Parry (72) and Welshman Jamie Donaldson (73) were nine over, while Masters champion Adam Scott added a 73 to rounds of 72, 75 for 10 over.

 

Sergio Garcia, who was the subject of abuse from hecklers following his "fried chicken" remarks to Tiger Woods, dropped to 11 over after a round of 75 which included a 10 on the 15th after hitting three balls out of bounds off the tee.

 

Florida-based Scot Russell Knox shot 77 to also finish 11 over, while countryman Martin Laird had 76 for 13 over. David Howell was 15 over, Irish amateur Kevin Phelan 16 over and Simon Khan, who lost a play-off to Matteo Manassero at Wentworth, 20 over.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/22921178

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Luke Donald gone paddling, Stricker and Woods OOB and Poulter dropping down the leaderboard like a lead balloon. And still a long way to go...

[Reilly]

^Thank you forgot about this for some reason.

[busybeeburns]

And now there is nobody left under par now Mickelson has started dropping shots. Three birdies in four holes means Dufner's catching everyone up.

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Schwartzel doesn't want it either it appears. Meanwhile if you missed it earlier, the luckiest bounce in golf......

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajln-iosBto]Shawn Stefani's Hole-In-One At 2013 U.S. Open - YouTube[/ame]

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And now Dufner is OOB. His venture onto the first page of the leaderboard didn't last long.