Morning Rounds

By Billy Condon

Walking back to the Media Center I bumped into last year's U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate and shook his hand and wished him luck for this week. He is sure to be another fan favorite out here.

Ok, down to business - At least for today, the weather has not been an issue out here at the Black. Sunny skies and vocal crowds have been around all day and it keeps getting more crowded. The most attention of the players playing this morning was on Phil Mickelson. Lefty has had a mass of people following him and each tee and green that he approaches people shout their support. Playing alongside Jim Furyk today, Mickelson has been chatting it up with the 2003 U.S. Open champion, and Furyk has also been speaking a fair amount with Mickelson's caddie, Jim Mackay.

Also, quite a few spectators are sporting periscopes that they bought at the 2002 U.S. Open and happen to be designed by Mickelson's father and his company, the Mickelson Group.

A few notes from walking around during this mornings practice rounds:

-They were using a large fan on the 17th green, all the rain has resulted in soft greens with the players attacking the hole locations.

-Players MUST keep the ball in or near the fairway. Jeff Brehaut got caught in the long hay on 13 and his attempt to hack it out resulted in the ball advancing two feet.

-Especially today, players are not hesitant to drop a second, third and even fourth ball and test different clubs on par threes, chipping from different lies around the green, and are investigating strategies they will take for the tricky hole locations lined up for the next four days.

-While everyone is supporting Phil full-force, the buzz around the grandstands and concession stands are on Tiger, how he will perform, and if anyone has seen him.