Monday, Oct. 25
News & Features Archive
Stewart puts himself on familiar ground
For the second consecutive year, Payne Stewart enters the final round of the U.S. Open with a lead. But his pursuers are closer this time around, and the names are bigger. Phil Mickelson is one back, Tiger Woods two and David Duval three, to name a few.
Frozen moment: Eagle has landed
Steve Stricker got the day's only sub-par round off to a great start with a remarkable eagle at No. 3.
 Harig: Duval doesn't panic
Despite a 40 on the front nine, ESPN Golf Online's Bob Harig says David Duval never questioned his plan.
Notebook: Praise dries up for Pinehurst
Players are no longer singing the praises of Pinehurst No. 2.
Hole of the day: No. 18
Payne Stewart and Phil Mickelson created some good vibes for Sunday with birdies on the final hole Saturday.
Attitude is key to Open success
One needs to look no further than Payne Stewart and Lee Westwood to see what role attitude plays at the U.S. Open.
Wind, heat send scores soaring
Swirling winds that dried out greens sent scores higher on
Pinehurst No. 2, after an opening round in which 23 players broke
par.
Frozen moment: Duval bounces back
David Duval showed why he has become the No. 1 player in the world, following a double-bogey at No. 6 with back-to-back birdies.
Olazabal breaks hand on wall
Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal withdrew from the U.S. Open today after he hit his hand against a wall and broke a bone.
Many big names headed home
Greg Norman, Mark O'Meara, Ernie Els and Fred Couples are just some of the big names who missed the cut.
Harig: Stewart gets into position
Payne Stewart is on familiar ground in contention at the U.S. Open, says ESPN Golf Online's Bob Harig.
Hole of the day: No. 9
The shortest hole on the course proved crucial during Friday's second round.
Woods happy with his position
Tiger Woods played the second round in 1-over 71, but he's pleased to be in the thick of things at the U.S. Open.
Notebook: Daly admits to $51 million in gambling losses
Possibly hoping to rid himself of more demons, John Daly admitted to a group of reporters after his surprising round of 68 Thursday that he had lost $51 million gambling in the mid-1990s.
Second-round scorecards
Second-round scorecards from the U.S. Open
Duval, Mickelson lead first-round logjam
David Duval and playing partner Phil Mickelson set the pace early with opening-round 67s to share the lead at the 99th U.S. Open at at Pinehurst No. 2. Paul Goydos and Billy Mayfair joined them atop the leaderboard.
Curtis Strange's tournament diary
Two-time U.S. Open champion and Golf Magazine columnist Curtis Strange talks about the course, the players and his game.
Frozen moment: Mickelson caps it off
Standing over a 15-foot putt on the 18th green Thursday, Phil Mickelson blocked out everything except for what was most important.
Lead doesn't change Mickelson's plan
If Phil Mickelson's wife goes into labor, he says he's leaving the U.S. Open immediately. ESPN Golf Online's Bob Harig says a first-round lead doesn't change the plan.
Notebook: Duval plays stress-free round
David Duval's bogey-free 67 was even easier than it looked.
First-round scorecards
First-round scorecards from the U.S. Open
Hole of the day: No.5
It is no surprise that No. 5 played as the toughest hole Thursday. After all, the 482-yarder is one of the few Pinehurst No. 2 holes that features a sloped fairway in the landing area, and it is the longest natural par 4 on the course.
Even Daly stunned by his first-round play
John Daly birdied the first three holes Thursday and finished with a 68, one shot off the lead, to the surprise of everyone.
Players to watch
ESPN Golf Online's Greg Robertson picks the cream of the crop from the 156 starters in the U.S. Open field.
Bite of Pinehurst tastes good to players
For those who subscribe to the variety-is-the-spice-of-life theory, Pinehurst No. 2 this week is the chili pepper in what has been a bland, repetitive U.S. Open recipe.
Love would love to win on favorite course
Davis Love III learned about golf's tough shots as a youngster at Pinehurst. Now he returns to the course as a U.S. Open favorite.
Europeans like their chances at Pinehurst
It's been 29 years since a European won the U.S. Open title, but Pinehurst offers the possibility for one this year.
Wednesday notebook: Test run for Pinehurst
The USGA says a successful stint at Pinehurst could lead to a return of the U.S. Open again in the near future.
North: Nothing could be finer
Of all the majors, there's no better feeling than winning the U.S. Open, says ESPN's Andy North, a two-time Open champion.
First groups out must rise early
Fearing weather delays with rain and thunderstorms a threat, the USGA has pushed up tee times to begin at 6:30 a.m. the first two days.
Burning issue: Duval seems ready to play
David Duval was the first player off the No. 1 tee for a practice round today, and by the time he finished, shortly before 11 a.m. ET, his injured fingers didn't appear to be a problem for him.
Lehman back after four heartaches
Tom Lehman has played in the final pairing at the U.S. Open for four consecutive years. But each time he has watched somebody else walk away with the trophy he covets more than any other.
No. 1 for No. 2
Pinehurst No. 2 promises a texture and personality unlike anything the nation's most prestigious championship has presented before. Almost all of the elements mark a departure from Open normalcy.
Strange: Pinehurst revisited
Two-time U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange says Pinehurst No. 2 is a great -- but simple -- course. But not every player in the field will enjoy every minute of the Open.
Fine line
During last year's Open, the USGA straddled the line between difficult and unfair, not always successfully. A book excerpt from John Feinstein's "The Majors."
Masterpiece put on display for Open
ESPN Golf Online's Bob Harig says when it comes to Donald Ross designs, nothing compares to Pinehurst No. 2, his signature course and site of this year's U.S. Open.
Tuesday notebook: Rough will be back
The shorter rough at this year's U.S. Open is a one-time thing. Players can expect thick, deep rough again at Pebble Beach in 2000.
Roberts: Greens will be the star
Pinehurst No. 2 isn't a visually specatcular golf course, but the bowling ball-shaped greens will make it a difficult challenge, says ESPN's Jimmy Roberts.
Rough and tumble
ESPN's Frank Beard examines the biggest problem with the modern U.S. Open: preparation inflation.
Woods sizzling coming into Open
Tiger Woods has never had any success in the U.S. Open during his brief career, but all eyes are on him this year. Woods has won his last two starts.
Janzen basking in Open glory
After his come-from-behind victory last year at The Olympic Club, Lee Janzen still is adjusting to his title as two-time U.S. Open champion.
First family
James Walker Tufts created Pinehurst in 1895 as a place for those, like him, lacking robust health and needing an affordable escape from harsh New England winters.
U.S. Open trivia quiz
Check out your knowledge about America's national championship
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