Finally the second golf major of the season is staged: the US Open Championship, which takes place from today to Sunday at the Olympic Club in San Francisco and promises a great show right from the start. On Thursday and Friday there are two sets that golf fans from all over the world dream of following at least once in their lives: the first, registered in the USA, is made up of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson; the second, directly from Europe, from Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood.
A more unique than rare event, which makes this show even more exciting, which is broadcast every night on Sky from 22pm until 4am the next morning. It's about losing several hours of sleep, but the challenge promises to be exciting, especially as Italy has two great champions in the field: the world number 33 Francesco Molinari, fresh from a recent victory in Seville; And Matteo Manassero who to get to San Francisco passed the obstacle of qualifications. Molinari appears increasingly solid, with his precise and continuous game and could be the right man to conquer the Olympic Lake Course, a par 70 course of 6.556 metres, insidious, narrow and with small and well-defended greens.
“I hope to hit a few fairways – joked the Masters champion Bubba Watson – and to make at least two putts every once in a while”. In short, although it is not very long, the Olympic will give a lot of trouble to the 156 players on the field and the precision of Chicco Molinari could make the difference. It's a record-breaking Open also due to the presence of 14-year-old Andy Zhang, the youngest participant in the history of this tournament. Zhang, of Chinese origin, has lived in Florida for 4 years and was rescued due to the renunciation of Paul Casey.
“I tried it too when I was 15 – Tiger Woods said – but today young people make use of a technology that allows them to perfect their swing sooner”. Zhang tried out with Bubba, but confessed to being a Tiger fan: “he's back” he said. He really makes you smile, but it's also nice to see such a sporty attitude in a young athlete. After all, as the spirit of golf dictates, the challenge is above all with yourself.
However, all eyes are focused on the trio of "old" champions formed by Mickelson, Watson and Woods. The southpaw has never won the US Open, but he has volleyed five times, only to miss the trophy. At 42 it could be the right time, "Playing with Tiger stimulates me - he said - he manages to bring out the best in my golf". The rivalry between the two champions is known and Lefty, who embodies the good American boy, is much loved by the public. However, it is Tiger who makes the difference on TV ratings and for this reason everyone, even his detractors, deep down, like Zhang, hope that the myth "is back". Woods, at nearly 37, won the Memorial Tournament in Ohio two weeks ago, clinching his 73rd win on the tour, equaling Jack Nicklaus' record. Today Tiger is fourth in the world rankings and is dangerously approaching the leading trios. In his palmares the US Open appears three times, but this tournament is played each time on a different field and is a new story. Tiger likes Olympic: “I often played it when I was in college – he said – and I'm excited to still compete with this field, but it's changed a lot since then”. In short, the engines are roaring and even Bubba, with his very long drive and his shots full of imagination, will surely be able to have his say between the two historic rivals.
Not least is the departure of Donald, McIlroy and Westwood: respectively number 1, 2 and 3 in the world. McIlroy is the outgoing champion, because he won last year with a record result after his sensational crash on the last day in Agusta. The victory at the US Open was fundamental for the self-esteem of the Northern Irish champion, his confidence in his own game and in his ability to withstand the tension of a major, even if lately he seems a bit distracted by his private life. Donald on the other hand continues to dominate the world rankings, but he lacks a major crown, while Westwood has just won in Sweden and looks very fit, but his results on the greens are still unsatisfactory for a player of his level. who aspires to climb to the highest podium in one of the major tournaments. The prize pool is 8 million dollars and the field has been drawn for the occasion: it starts immediately uphill, at 1, with a par 5 transformed into a par 4 of 475 metres; the 5 a par 4 of 455 meters; the 6 par 4 of 447 meters. Players asked how they hoped to play the first six holes answered that they are "settled" for par. Fans don't think of leaving in a hurry for San Francisco: tickets for the Olympic are sold out.
