Matt Kuchar at the U.S. Open...June 16-19 Oakmont CC outside Pittsburgh

[GTJT622]

Check out this nugget... http://www.pgatour.com/news/2016/06/10/u-s--open-featured-groups-2016.html

Here’s a look at some other groups to keep an eye on (Note: FedExCup ranking in parentheses):

Matt Kuchar (18), Bubba Watson, (15), Patrick Reed (6): All three players attended college in Georgia, with Kuchar going to Georgia Tech, Watson attending the University of Georgia and Patrick Reed winning two NCAA Championships at Augusta State. Watson finished fifth at the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont, his best finish in this tournament. Tee times: 7:51 a.m. off 1st tee on Thursday; 1:36 p.m. off 10th tee on Friday.

 

[GTJT622]

Weather for Pittsburgh this week... https://www.wunderground.com/us/pa/pittsburgh/zmw:15122.2.99999

Looks like Round 1 on Thursday will be dealing with thunderstorms throughout the day. We can expect some delays for lightning and heavy rain potentially. After that, maybe some Friday morning lingering rain to deal with but then the weekend is going to be really nice.

Hopefully Kooch gets off to a good start and is in contention for his first major.

This will be the 9th time Oakmont has hosted the U.S. Open. The previous years, winners and final scores are telling as to how an Even par finish will have you right in contention, if not a winner...

2007 - Angel Cabrera +5
1994 - Ernie Els -5 (won in a playoff)
1983 - Larry Nelson -4
1973 - Johnny Miller -5
1962 - Jack Nicklaus -1 (won in a playoff)
1953 - Ben Hogan -5
1935 - Sam Parks, Jr. +11
1927 - Tommy Armour +13 (won in a playoff)

Oakmont history "oldest top ranked golf course in America"... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakmont_Country_Club

TV coverage this week:

Thursday: 10am-5pmET on Fox Sports 1...5-8pm on FOX
Friday: same as Thursday
Saturday: 11am-7pm on FOX
Sunday: 11am-7:30pm on FOX

 

[GTJT622]

Kooch is 7th in this week's power rankings at pgatour.com... http://www.pgatour.com/power-rankings/2016/06/13/power-rankings--u-s--open.html


7 Matt Kuchar
Peaking. After a pair of T9s to begin the spring, he enters having gone T3-3rd-T6-T4. Statistically solid across the board. Top 30s in last six U.S. Opens; four were top 15s.

 

[GTJT622]

U.S. Open leaderboard link: http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/us-open/leaderboard.html

Kooch is scheduled to tee off Thursday morning at 7:51am. Looks like the morning session for Round 1 may get in without any delays. However, the afternoon session is calling for thunderstorms in the Western PA area that could cause havoc. Kooch may be able to get his round in before it all cranks up tomorrow.

GO KOOOOOCH!

 

[BornAJacket]

+1 after 3. Bogey on #1

 

[GTJT622]

Birdied #4 to get back to Even.

Another leaderboard FWIW... http://www.usopen.com/en_US/scoring/

 

[GTJT622]

Even thru 7.

As expected, play has been suspended due to heavy rain in the PITT area. Probably will deal with this all day today and tomorrow's round(s) will be rescheduled, moved back, etc. Might not know who makes the cut until Saturday morning.

 

[GTJT622]

Band of rain has passed thru and they are now back to playing.

Kooch is Even thru 8 holes.

Oakmont is a par-70 so only 2 par 5's on the course, FWIW.

 

[GTJT622]

+1 thru 10 holes.

Play has been suspended again as of 12:07pm.

 

[GTJT622]

Looks like the 2nd suspension of play - this time for 2.5 hours - has been lifted and play has resumed...for now...more storms forecast for later today. Scheduled afternoon sessions might not go off until Friday morning. Hopefully, Kooch can get his 1st round in today and play well over his remaining 8 holes.

 

[GTJT622]

Play suspended again at 3:51pm.

Kooch +1 thru 14 holes.

He teed off just before 8am today. Looooooong day.

 

[BornAJacket]

only 1 player finished under par today so far at -1 and he is an amateur.

Leader is -3.

Kuchar tied for 16th at +1 through 14.

 

[GTJT622]

Play is suspended for good today with morning sessions guys like Kooch unable to finish their 1st round. Going to put a hell of a monkey wrench into the schedule. Won't be surprised if this pushes the final round over into Monday.

 

[GTJT622]

Kooch is out finishing his 1st round early this morning. Bogeyed #15 to move to +2 but just birdied #17 to get back to +1, which will be a good score if he can finish there.

Will be interesting to see if/when his 2nd round is scheduled today...if today.

 

[GTJT622]

Kooch, whose 1st round teed off just before 8am Thursday morning just completed at +1.

Will update 2nd round tee time whenever available.

 

[BornAJacket]

still lots of players on the course from round 1. Lots more players under par on the course today. Kuchar has dropped to a tie at 34.

Different conditions today, a +1 yesterday might be -3 today.

 

[GTJT622]

Looks like Kooch will be teeing off his 2nd round at 8:06am Saturday morning. Reports on the net advise the USGA and Fox Sports are confident they will get this tournament in by Sunday evening. We'll see.

 

[GTJT622]

Kooch shoots +2 for the day (2nd round) and is +3 for the tournament. Only 7 shots back. Very much in play to get into contention.

Set to tee off his 3rd round at 3:11pmET on tee #1. Paired today with Matt Fitzpatrick (England, Northwestern University) and Kevin Streelman (USA, Duke).

GO KOOCH!!

 

[GTJT622]

Side note, a pretty good article on Ollie Schniederjans... http://www.kansas.com/sports/golf/article84618537.html

His future appears bright.

Schniederjans ranks 12th on the Web.com Tour money list halfway through his first full season as a professional. With three top-10 finishes, he is on pace to finish in the top 25 and join the PGA Tour next year.

A victory at the Air Capital Classic would all but clinch a promotion to golf’s biggest stage. It would also move him within reach of his preseason goal.

“I came into the season hoping to win two tournaments,” Schniederjans said. “I have not achieved that yet. I have played in (10) tournaments and I haven’t won one yet. But there are (eight) more tournaments to go. I am still focused on winning twice.”

 

[GTJT622]

Another side note, GJ Alum Bo Andrews sets course record and leads SwingThoughtTour event heading into Sunday... http://www.wcti12.com/sports/raleig...ing-lead-at-the-new-bern-pro-classic/40120322

 

[BornAJacket]

Kuchar finished with a final round 76, worst of the weekend for him. After his first 3 rounds, I thought he might get a top 10 finish.

Finished overall +10; T46.