Thursday Morning at the US Open: Delineation of the Turbidity

…A few years back, I went to Kohler with some friends and played the four courses of Herb Kohler/Pete Dye. As we walked up 17, our two caddies played a prank on us by describing a lake condition they called “delineation of the Turbidity.” As I watched water flow across greens and fairways at Bethpage, I almost believed that I might see some D of the T. It’s that wet.

…The USGA learned a great deal from 2002. Before the weather became an issue, many things had changed since the first visit to the Black. Security is effective but not intrusive. The range is in a different place, there are more concession stands and the sponsor tents are not as intrusive. The food choices are good ones and the merchandise tent seems to have better prices (go figure.) On the fly, the USGA closed the climb up the left side of 18/right side of 1 tee on Thursday out of concerns for spectator safety. Damned impressive, Blue Shirts!

…Rumor has it that Andrew Svoboda 4-whacked the 14th green on his way to a double bogey. He followed it up with a double on 15 and stands at +7. Poor David Horsey is +10 through 10, counting four single bogeys and three doubles through his first decade of holes.

…I ran into the legend himself, Dan Jenkins, in the media tent. He looks as handsome as the bobblehead doll they gave out yesterday in his honor. I’m about to dive into the book about Jenkins’ career at the Major championships. I’ll keep you posted on its worth.

…Although Johan Edfors is currently tied for the lead, his first tee ball on #5 is near the border of Nassau County and his provisional sits on the left side of the fairway. Only Jo knows for sure which one is in play, although his use of the Swedish exclamation “Fahrck” might have given us an indication of the result.

…No matter what they tell you on network and cable television, it was 10:16, NOT 10:15, when the horn stopped play at Bethpage.