Going by-the-numbers through 36 holes at Merion
From the start -- two par 5s at Nos. 2 and 4 -- to the finish -- especially No. 18 -- Merion offers up a layout that will simply cause heartburn, and the numbers prove it.
Big names find big trouble on Friday at Merion
While Adam Scott and Lee Westwood both hold their breath to get inside the cut line at 7 over, Merion showed its teeth on Friday in sending some of golf's best out of contention at the U.S. Open.
Mother Nature packs more punch than Merion East
While Merion wreaked havoc with a few scorecards early -- just ask Keegan Bradley -- it was Mother Nature that stole the attention on the morning of the first round at the U.S. Open.
For family, Mickelson ducks away from Merion
Phil Mickelson decided a while back to be home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., on the Wednesday before the first round of the U.S. Open to attend his daughter Amanda’s graduation from eighth grade.
Sisk, 48, brings perspective to the U.S. Open mix
Geoff Sisk entered the U.S. Open local qualifier in an attempt simply to get a competitive round under his belt. A few short weeks later, the 48-year-old will tee it up in his seventh U.S. Open.
U.S. Open a surprising struggle for Donald, Johnson
Look up and down the entry list and you’ll find curiosities with players when it comes to the U.S. Open, but nothing confounds quite like the overall record of Luke Donald and Zach Johnson.
Open qualifier Smith connects with New Hampshire
Nothing on his resume mentioned even a whisper of golf ability, but Jesse Smith figured he had to seize the moment.
Notes: Players roll the dice with Open qualifier
Some take on the challenge that is easily available. Some roll the dice and play their other options. Sometimes you fail, and sometimes you succeed. Specifically, we’re talking about the May 20 IFQ for the Open Championship at Gleneagles in Plano, Texas.
Ernst charts a tough course toward U.S. Open
When was the last time a PGA Tour tournament winner was forced to tee it up at a local qualifier for the U.S. Open in the same calendar year or another player ranked 123rd in the world was ineligible for an Open Championship qualifier? Derek Ernst fits the bill on both counts.
Notes: Fitness coach fills in as caddie for Wagner
For the first time in . . . well, perhaps forever . . . Johnson Wagner carried a yardage book at the Open Championship International Final Qualifying at Gleneagles -- mostly due to his unique and inexperienced caddie.
Echavarria embodies 'have clubs, will travel' attitude
Andres Echavarria has been racking up the frequent-flyer miles as he attempts to work his way into the U.S. Open, Open Championship and onto the Web.com Tour.
Gleneagles' 17th wreaks havoc in Open qualifier
The par-3 17th hole wreaked havoc on the field at the Open Championship qualifier at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, Texas -- eventually helping decide the final three spots on Monday.
Bae withdraws from Open Championship qualifier
Having gone 72 grueling holes in vintage Texas heat and wind to secure his first PGA Tour win, Sang-Moon Bae chose not to play 36 more to try and secure an Open Championship spot on Monday.
Notes: Schedule forces players' tough choices
It's easy to get a sense of why the great players tread carefully with their schedules - so many great tournaments, so little time. Plus: Players on courses they love and courses they don't, and more in this week's notes.
McDowell offers scouting report on Merion
Heralded and beloved as Merion is, it's becoming quite obvious that the majority of players know very little about the course. Graeme McDowell recently looked back at a preview round he played there.
Wittenberg's coach finds challenges as caddie
As Casey Wittenberg's swing coach, Adam Schriber chose to get some work done up close and personal. He caddied for him at The Players Championship.
5 Things: Lingmerth leads by 2 after a long day
It was a long day Saturday at the Players Championship, and for many reasons – inclement weather halting play for nearly two hours and early contenders playing their way out of the tournament. Here are 5 Things you need to know from Saturday’s third round at The Players.
Bad play early by leaders, allows others to shine
As if seeing Jeff Maggert re-appear at The Players Championship for the first time in 10 years or so wasn’t enough of a surprise, how about the suddenly shoddy play by your leaders? Having spent the better part of two days making birdie upon birdie, the top 12 names on the leaderboard through 36 holes found the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass a much different animal in Saturday’s third round.
Notes: Notables who missed the cut at The Players
It’s all about the marquee names who decided to stick around for the weekend of the 2013 Players Championship, guys like Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Adam Scott, Matt Kuchar and Hunter Mahan. But before we give the weekend stage to those who are here, how about a few notes on those who aren’t.
McIlroy-Scott-Stricker trio takes spotlight again
Wedge games certainly aren't a problem for Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and Steve Stricker during the second round. From there, each has different tweaks to their game plan.
