The U.S. Golf Association should take notice of how Cog Hill played Sun-day. The course played to an average score of 72.238, more than a stroke over par. Only nine rounds were under 70.
Obviously, the wind contributed. But so did a course setup that included three revamped holes, tough pins and high rough. Cog Hill showed its U.S. Open potential.
“We heard a lot of complaints about the changes [at first],” PGA Tour official Jon Brendle said. “Then later a lot of players came up and said they wish they would have withheld their comments until they played the holes. The scoreboard was terrific. We had everyone in there. The long hitters and short hitters. I don’t think we hurt anybody by making a challenging golf course.”
So give a birdie to Dubsdread. At 40, it’s going strong.
Bogey: No. 15. Officials need to strengthen the 519-yard par 5. For the week, it gave up almost as many birdies (201) as pars (209).
Birdie: Stephen Ames. All hail the best golfer from Trinidad and Tobago.
Birdie: The brothers of Ames and Luke Donald, Robert Ames and Christian Donald. They were on the bag for their brothers, meaning both scored big paydays.
Bogey: Tiger Woods. One birdie Sunday hardly was the charge everyone expected from the world’s No. 1 golfer.
Birdie: Davis Love III. He went from making the cut on the number to tying for seventh. That’s how the good players save the week.
Bogey: Steve Lowery and Mark Hensby. If only they could have skipped the 13th hole.
Birdie: Mike Small. The Illinois golf coach slumped to a 76 Sunday. Still, he provided a nice story, helped his recruiting and earned $33,360 in pocket change.
Bogey: Chad Campbell. It was a disappointing week as he tied for 51st. More had been expected of him.
Birdie: Cialis. If you can get past the endless ads–“Daddy, what’s Cialis?”–it looks as if the Western has a quality sponsor. An impressive tournament history presentation greeted fans as they entered the course, and there were other nice touches. Hopefully, it is the start of long relationship.
