SPORTS
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tiger faces tough Open test FARMINGDALE, N.Y.
Tiger Woods began his final practice round of the U.S. Open by hitting a 5-wood for his second shot on a par 4, which is rare for someone with his power. Stranger still was that it wasn’t enough club to reach the 10th green. The stubborn side of the defending champion showed up on the 15th fairway at Woods Bethpage Black. Staring toward the elevated green, he backed off his shot and turned to his caddie as if to change clubs, then decided to stick with the 4-iron already in his hands. Woods hit it pure, and when the ball barely reached the green, he laughed.
GOLF — US OPEN “I’ve already hit too many 3irons on par 4s today,” he said. The scorecard at Bethpage Black shows an additional 212 yards from 2002, when Woods was the only player to finish under par and won the U.S. Open by three shots to beat Phil Mickelson. With soggy turf and rain part of every forecast, the Black feels even longer. “This is probably the most difficult golf course we’ve faced from tee to green,” Woods said Tuesday. “Obviously, it’s not the green complexes this week — certainly not Oakmont, or it’s not Winged Foot. But from tee to green, this golf course is all you want. With the weather coming in here this week, it’s only going to get longer and harder. And it’s going to be even more difficult.” And that could be right up
his alley. Woods has been on the fast track in the majors for as long as he has been a pro, and more history could await this week. The U.S. Open is the only major he has failed to win in consecutive years, and a victory this week would make him only the seventh player to win back-toback. Having won at Bethpage Black in 2002, he will try to join Willie Anderson (1905 at Myopia Hunt) as the only players to defend a U.S. Open on a course where they were the most recent champion. Add to that Woods’ 65 in the final round to win the Memorial two weeks ago, and he is an overwhelming favorite. “He’s by far and away the favorite, I would have thought,” Geoff Ogilvy said. “But I don’t think anyone walks around saying, ‘We’re playing for second now because Tiger’s playing.’”
Hockey camp runs until Friday afternoon Hockey continued from 29 the stuff I knew before but that I wasn’t as good at.” After running camps in Canada, Minnesota and Europe for many years, Miller started running one in Steamboat three years ago. Growing up in a small town herself, Miller said she knows what it’s like to have to travel to most sporting events.
That’s why, Miller said, when she was given the opportunity to do a camp in Steamboat, she jumped at the chance. “I always had to travel to play hockey,” she said. “These kids travel all winter, so I think it’s important to bring some experienced instructors to them.” Most of the girls at the camp said they’d love to play college hockey. Although Miller hoped
they would gain more skills to make their upcoming seasons successful, she said there is another reason for the camp. “Fun and new friends,” she said. “Fun and new friends is equally important.” The camp runs until Friday afternoon. — To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229 or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com
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Doug Ferguson
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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STEAMBOAT TODAY