The forecast called for sunny skies in Farmingdale, allowing golfers to return to the course. So, flash flood warnings weren’t a problem or beautiful ponds resting above surface.
Mother Nature enabled all golfers to put down umbrellas, on a day the sun made its regular appearances to keep them arid of soaked shirts and soggy socks. As usual, in the U.S. Open, it is supposed to be a chance Tiger Woods endears and capture his 15th major title, fourth at the Open.
As disgruntled citizens experienced a rain-out, they were elated to hear the announcement by the United States Golf Association executive director David Fay, acknowledging ill-tempered fans that if the Open extends to a fifth day, they will be allowed to attend on Monday.
Sure, vibrant fans desire clasping at another epic classic. Returning an extra day to witness appealing images of overwhelming sudden death, are commodities fans anticipates, especially from Tiger, the world’s greatest golfer.
But before sudden death darkens, enveloping the skies with a serve thunderstorm in Farmingdale and washes out Tiger of another major title, he must prevail from a nightmarish finish that he never envisioned. He entered with one ambition, defending a title and seeking his second straight in the Open.
But on a positive note, Tiger is known for storming back of disastrous opening rounds that indeed could plot a fabulous sequence of a year ago. On one leg, Tiger awed us with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, surviving a 91-hole epic playoff war to oust a gritty Rocco Mediate and preserved a shocking victory at Torrey Pines. It’s appealing to wait patently, seeing if Tiger could defend title in a major event success derives.
Tiger’s body language and facial images tells different, disgusted about his uninspiring opening round. He mirrored Kobe Bryant’s facial features, literally scowling at 17th fairway, frustrated about a double-bogey on 15, following bogeys on 16 and 18 for the second-worst in his final four holes in 230 professional starts.
It results in 74 and 10 shots back of the leaderboards after round one, his worst start in a major since missing the cut in the ’06 U.S. Open. Perhaps, the nightmarish rain delay thrown off rhythmic, or maybe it’s Tiger off to another slow start, but in position to strike back with fascinating strokes and pulls off the remarkable win.
But now, he’s in a bit of a funk, delaying his chances of winning title No. 15. That can make it seem as if there’s still a rain delay abound to rain on what is supposed to be the year of Tiger’s rebirth.
At this time last year when he hijacked golf with the 91-hole playoff win, he was unhealthy, bothered with a torn ligament in his left knee. In an eight-mouth intermission, Tiger underwent season-ending knee surgery to repair his left knee, and return as the greatest Tiger Woods ever.
He was supposed to dominate every major event this year, healthier than ever and longing another major title. But never quit believing in Tiger, who could muster points on a leaderboard, quicker than any other golfer.
The masses admired nemesis Phil Mickelson, heartened by his wife fight with breast cancer. He had a fruitful day on the green to start off, playing with a heart heavier than gold and eased up the leaderboard, before descending on two straight bogeys that summarized his first round.
If anything, he’s playing to win it for Amy, not only to add another major title. But currently, the leaderboard are favoring neither Phil nor Tiger. As we know, they’re the climax of golf and without them it’s not as alluring, instead its peculiar trying to predict a winner.
Without Tiger and Phil anyone is entitle of presumably winning their first major. Right now, Mike Weir, the Canadian owns the spotlight, holding the lead after the first day with three long days left until a virtuous champ is decided. When he birdied on his final two holes, Weir was earned a 64, the lowest score in six years at the U.S. Open.
And amateur Drew Weaver, out of Virginia Tech, shockingly carded a 69 along with Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, bringing a sense of pride also carding a 69 on the first day. As they emerge into spotlight, Tiger and Phil have to take care of unfinished setbacks after the first day and reclaim spotlight.
Tiger vs. Phil comes first.
And they have to make it feasible.
