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2009 US OPEN: AUSTRALASIAN PREVIEW
Jun 17, 2009
Ogilvy, along with New Zealand’s Michael Campbell are former champions who will be vying for another shot at the title after winning the event in consecutive years. Campbell’s 2005 victory at Pinehurst over a stellar field, in particular holding out the challenge from Tiger Woods, will go down in the record books as one of the more remarkable wins in US Open history, while Ogilvy proved he had the mettle to outlast his then more fancied rivals Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie to claim victory a year later, ending an 11 year drought for the Australians at the Majors.
The pair head to Bethpage State Park alongside four newcomers to the Major’s scene; Australians James Nitties, Michael Sim and Matthew Jones as well as New Zealander Doug Batty. All four qualified for the event through sectional qualifying. In contrast 38 year old Stuart Appleby is the most experienced of the group from Down Under making his 13th appearance.
The 2009 US Open Championship will be the 109th edition, and will be the second U.S. Open played at Bethpage Black; the first was won by Tiger Woods in 2002.
The Australasian Field of 12 is: Steve Allan, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Doug Batty (NZL), Michael Campbell (NZL), Matt Jones, James Nitties, Geoff Ogilvy, Rod Pampling, Adam Scott, Michael Sim and David Smail (NZL).
Last year Ogilvy finished the best of the Australasians on four-over par, five shots behind Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate in a tie for ninth. Woods eventually won the 18 hole playoff event.
The twelve Australasian contenders are:
STEVE ALLAN (VICTORIA)
Age: 33
Turned pro: 1996
OWGR: 399
US Open Appearances: 3
Best finish: T28 (2005 Pinehurst)
Finishes: 1999: T42 / 2004: MC / 2005: T28
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: David Smail (NZL), Cameron Beckman (USA)
Playing with partial status and minor medical extension status on the 2009 US Tour, the 33 year old Victorian has played three US Opens, the last time at Pinehurst where he finished T28. Qualified for this year’s event after taking medalist honors in the 27-man qualifying field at Columbine Country Club in Colorado by finishing 36 holes in 5-under-par 139. Shot 2-under 70 in his morning round and 3-under 69 in the afternoon to take one of two places on offer. Has played nine events on 2009 US TOUR making just one cut. Played two events on 2009 Nationwide Tour making one cut, finishing T15 at the Chitimacha Louisiana Open in March. Finished T11 at 2008 PGA Tour Qualifying School. Returned to the US Tour full time in 2007 after one year on the Nationwide Tour. Limited to 18 events in 2007 due to double hernia resulting in surgery. Played Nationwide in 2006. Has finished inside the Top 125 on US PGA Tour twice (105th in 2003 & 121st in 2004). Most recent victory: 2002 Australian Open. Coach is Dale Lynch. Lives: Scottsdale, Arizona. Married to Bridget, two children Liam & Joey.
ROBERT ALLENBY (VICTORIA)
Age: 37
Turned pro: 1992
OWGR: 34
US Open Appearances: 11
Best finish: T7 (2004 Shinnecock Hills)
Finishes: 1993: T33 / 1997: MC / 1999: T46 / 2001: MC / 2002: T12 / 2003: MC / 2004: T7 / 2005: MC / 2006: T16 / 2007: MC / 2008: T18
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Justin Leonard (USA), Ian Poulter (England)
Making his 12th appearance at the US Open, Allenby has made the cut on six occasions. He finished T12 when the Open was played at Bethpage in 2002 and has had four top 20 finishes from his six outings. With 20 career victories to his name, the 37 year old Victorian comes into this week’s event on the back of his best result for the year, T4 at the St Jude Classic last week. Has made 11 cuts from 12 starts in 2009 finishing T38 at The Masters Tournament and is ranked in the top 35 in both scrambling and driving distance. Most recent victory: 2005 MasterCard Masters (Australia). Coach: Sandy Jamieson. Lives: Melbourne Australia & Florida, USA. Married to Sandy. Two children Harry and Lily.
STUART APPLEBY (VICTORIA)
Age: 38
Turned pro: 1992
OWGR: 69
US Open Appearances: 12
Best finish: T10 (1998 Olympic Club)
Finishes: 1997: T36 / 1998: T10 / 1999: MC / 2000: MC / 2001: MC / 2002: T37 / 2003: MC / 2004: MC / 2005: MC / 2006: MC / 2007: T26 / 2008: T36
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Fred Funk (USA), Todd Hamilton (USA)
The most experienced of the Australasian contingent, Appleby will line up at the US Open for the 13th time after competing in every event since his debut in 1997 at Congressional where he finished T36. His best finish at the event was in 1998 when he finished T10 at the Olympic Club. He finished T37 at the US Open when it was last played at Bethpage. Appleby has played 14 events on the US Tour in 2009 making nine cuts. His best result is T8 at the Transitions Championship in March. Finished T30 at The Masters Tournament. Has made just one cut in his last four starts, finishing T72 in his last start at The Memorial. Has 12 international victories. Most recent victory: 2006 Shell Houston Open. Coached by Steve Bann. Lives: Melbourne, Australia & Florida, USA. Married to Ashley. Three children, Ella, Mia and Max.
DOUG BATTY (NEW ZEALAND)
Age: 29
Turned pro: 2004
US Open Appearances: 0
Best finish: NA
Finishes: NA
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Matt Nagy a (USA), Shawn Stefani (USA)
One of four Australasian debutantes at this week’s US Open, Batty qualified for the event after finishing second in a four-way playoff for three spots at the Saticoy Country Club in Somis, California. Based in Los Angeles Batty, who hails from Whangarei and went to Auckland Grammar School, moved to the United States in 2001 on a scholarship. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles and the University of Toledo. In the last two years, he had been playing on the Canadian Tour. Lives: Los Angeles, California.
MICHAEL CAMPBELL (NEW ZEALAND)
Age: 40
Turned pro: 1993
OWGR: 271
US Open Appearances: 10
Best finish: WINNER, (2005 Pinehurst)
Finishes: 1996: T32 / 2000: T12 / 2001: MC / 2002: MC / 2003: MC / 2004: MC / 2005: WINNER / 2006: MC / 2007: MC / 2008: MC
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Rod Pampling (Australia), Boo Weekley (USA)
Will be lining up at his 11th US OPEN. Made his debut in 1996 at Oakland Hills. His 2005 victory at Pinehurst over a stellar field, in particular holding out the challenge from Tiger will go down in the record books as one of the more remarkable wins in US Open history. Has not had a lot of success since, missing the cut in 2006, finishing T58 in 2007 and missing the cut last year. Missed the Australasian summer in 2008 hampered by a shoulder injury then suffered another setback with a lower back injury in May 2009. He has played eight events in 2009 but is yet to play four rounds in a tournament. The last time he played four rounds was at the Dunhill Tournament in Scotland last October where he finished T13. His most recent event was the Celtic Manor Wales Open in June. Campbell has 15 international victories. Most recent victory: 2005 HSBC World MatchPlay (European Tour).Coach: Jonathan Yarwood. Lives: Bellevue Hill, Sydney during Southern Summer and Brighton, England during Northern Summer. Married to Julie. Two children Thomas & Jordan.
MATT JONES (NEW SOUTH WALES)
Age: 29
Turned pro: 2001
OWGR: 317
US Open Appearances: 0
Best finish: NA
Finishes: NA
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Darron Stiles (USA), Shintaro Kai (Japan)
From Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, Jones qualified for his first US Open when he finished third at Sectional Qualifying in Memphis Tennessee. He was one of 13 players from 110 hopefuls to make it through. Grew up in Sydney and played Junior Golf there until 18. Headed to the US and attended Arizona State University and has lived in Arizona ever since. In 2004 got conditional status on the Nationwide Tour and played four years on the Nationwide Tour before being fully exempt in 2007. Was a PGA Tour Rookie Member in 2008 after graduating from 2007 Nationwide Tour where he finished 7th on the Money List. Finished 127th on the 2008 USPGA Tour (Top 125 get full card). Has played seven events on the USPGA Tour in 2009 making five cuts with his best result a T5 at the Buick Invitational in February. Missed the cut at last week’s St Jude Classic. Lives: Scottsdale Arizona. Coach: Gary Barter, a teaching professional at The Australian Golf Club.
JAMES NITTIES (NEW SOUTH WALES)
Age: 26
Turned pro: 2004
OWGR: 194
US Open Appearances: 0
Best finish: NA
Finishes: NA
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Martin Laird (Scotland), Peter Tomasulo (USA)
Currently one of Australia’s hottest young players, Nitties is a PGA TOUR rookie in 2009 and qualified for his first US OPEN from the hotly contested field in Colombos, Ohio where 120 players were vying for 17 spots. The 26 year old from Newcastle had to wait over two hours for the others to finish before he learned he was in a seven man play off. He birdied the first and with just two others remaining he made an eight metre birdie putt at the second to earn his place. Nitties earned his place on the 2009 US PGA Tour after graduating from US Qualifying School for the first time after trying to qualify every year since 2005. After holding the outright lead after two rounds in the final stage at PGA West in La Quinta, California he finished second to Harrison Frazar and earned his US PGA TOUR card for 2009. Currently 62nd on the Money List with earnings of $USD760,227, Nitties has played in 18 events with six top 25 finishes including two top 10’s. Nitties made his professional debut at the 2004 Qld PGA, finishing T20. He had the golfing world stand up and take note when he led the 2004 Cadbury Schweppes PGA Championship at Coolum at the half way and third round marks in just his fourth professional tournament…eventually finished second, two shots behind winner Peter Lonard. Coach: Jason Laws (based in Newcastle). Lives: Dallas, Texas.
GEOFF OGILVY (VICTORIA)
Age: 32
Turned pro: 1998
OWGR: 5
US Open Appearances: 5
Best finish: 1 (2006 Winged Foot)
Finishes: 2003: MC / 2005: T28 / 2006: WINNER / 2007: T42 / 2008: T9
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Paul Casey (England), Jim Furyk (USA)
Hard to find fault with the 2009 form of Australia’s highest ranked golfer who amazingly only claimed his first title on home soil last December when he won the Australian PGA Championship. Climbed to a career-best No.4 in the world rankings after claiming the 2009 WGC - CA Championship for the second time in four years. Became the first multiple winner on the US PGATOUR in 2009 after also winning the season opening Mercedes-Benz Championship by six strokes. Currently world number five, Ogilvy won the US Open in 2006 and also had a top ten finish at last year’s event. He is the most recent Australian Major winner. Ogilvy has not missed the cut in 12 starts on the USPGA TOUR this season and enters the event ranked in the top 40 on the US PGA TOUR in driving distance, scrambling, and total putting. He has won three times around the world over the last seven months which makes him No. 2 in the FedEx Cup standings on the USPGA TOUR on the strength of victories in the Mercedes-Benz Championship and the WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship. His MatchPlay win counts on all tours, which also sees him No. 2 in the Race to Dubai on the European Tour. Winner of seven international events Ogilvy is also first on the US Tour Money List with $USD3,319,045. He has made all 12 cuts this season with seven top 25’s including four top ten finishes. Most recently he finished T10 in his last outing at The Memorial Tournament. Most recent victory: World Golf Championship Accenture Matchplay Championship. Coach: Dale Lynch. Lives: Melbourne, Australia & Scottsdale, Arizona. Married to Juli. Two children Pheobe & Jasper.
ROD PAMPLING (QUEENSLAND)
Age: 39
Turned pro: 1994
OWGR: 73
US Open Appearances: 5
Best finish: T14 (2008 Torrey Pines)
Finishes: 2003: MC / 2005: MC / 2006: T32 / 2007: MC / 2008: T14
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Michael Campbell (NZL), Boo Weekley (USA)
Currently 87th on the US Tour Money List with $US572,329, Pamps has made 10 cuts from 13 starts in 2009 with four top 25 finishes. His best result is T9 at the World Golf Championships-CA Championship in March. Most recently finished T27 at The Memorial Tournament. Two of his top 25 finishes have been in his last three starts and he says some swing tweaking with coach Gary Edwin at THE PLAYERS Championship is starting to show. Pampling likes the set up of the Bethpage course that has a graduating rough that gets longer as it moves away from the fairways. “It’s not ridiculous, unless you’re really wide. If you’re just off the fairway, you’ve definitely got a chance.” he said. Pampling didn’t play Bethpage in 2002 but had his best result at a US Open last year when he finished T14. Most recent victory: 2008 Australian Masters. Coach: Gary Edwin. Lives: Brisbane Australia & Flower Mound, Texas. Married to Angela. Two children Sam and Willa.
ADAM SCOTT (QUEENSLAND)
Age: 28
Turned pro: 2000
OWGR: 42
US Open Appearances: 7
Best finish: T21 (2006 Winged Foot)
Finishes: 2002: MC / 2003: MC / 2004: MC / 2005: T28 / 2006: T21 / 2007: MC / 2008: T26
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Sergio Garcia (Spain), Camilo Villegas (Colombia)
Despite two tournament victories in 2008, the past 12 months has been interrupted by illness and injury which saw him miss the entire Australasian Tour summer. Started the US Tour season well with a tie for second at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, but has missed seven of his last eight cuts. His last event played was The Memorial Tournament two weeks ago. Missed the cut at Bethpage the last time the US Open was played there in 2002. Reported on his blog on his website last week: “I am getting back to the basics of my golf swing and keeping my focus on a more simple approach. I think I started to over-analyze certain aspects of my game which led to a lot of over thinking. I think Butch (Harmon) and I started to tweak too much and realise that its time to get back to what got me to #3 in the world. I am confident that its only a matter of time because the mechanics are all there. Its amazing how quickly things can turn in our sport.” Most recent victory: 2008 EDS Byron Nelson Championship (USPGA Tour). Coach: Butch Harmon. Lives: Queensland Australia & Crans sur Sierre Switzerland.
MICHAEL SIM (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
Age: 24
Turned pro: 2005
OWGR: 96
US Open Appearances: 0
Best finish: NA
Finishes: NA
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Drew Kittleson a (USA), Sang-Moon Bae (Korea)
Qualified for the US Open after finishing in a tie for second at Sectional Qualifying in Rockville Maryland. Was one of seven out of 71 players to earn a place. Regularly touted as the hottest golfer in the world at present. Is one win away from instant promotion to the USPGA Tour after winning his second Nationwide Tour victory this season. His wins have included the 2009 BMW Charity Pro-Am Classic and the 2009 Stonebrae Classic. Already has 2010 Tour card wrapped up regardless with results that has seen Sim play nine events this year, finishing in the top 10 six times. He has won twice and in between those victories lost another tournament in a play-off. Cracked the World Top 100, moving from World Number 229 On March 29th, to 94th by May 18. Believed to be the first full time Nationwide Tour member to crack the world Top 100. Leads the Nationwide Tour in total driving and putting, and ranks in the top five in driving accuracy and greens in regulation. Is making his major debut at Bethpage. Has overcome a debilitating back injury suffered two years ago and has been working with Sports Psychologist Angela Pampling (wife of Aussie golfer Rod) since October 2008. Most recent victory: BMW Charity Pro-Am Classic in April (Nationwide Tour). Coach: David Milne. Lives: Perth, Western Australia and Scottsdale Arizona.
DAVID SMAIL (NEW ZEALAND)
Age: 39
Turned pro: 1992
OWGR: 83
US Open Appearances: 1
Best finish: MC (2003 Olympia Fields)
Finishes: 2003 (MC)
Rounds 1 & 2 paired with: Steve Allan (Australia), Cameron Beckman (USA)
Smail qualified for the US Open in May after topping a 144-strong event in Ryugasaki, Japan. He has played at the 2003 British Open and the 2003 US Open. Smail from Hamilton in New Zealand is the highest ranked New Zealand golfer in the world at number 83. Smail won the New Zealand Open in 2001 and has won five titles on the Japan Golf Tour. Smail has been playing the Australasian and Japan Golf Tours in 2008. In March he finishedT8 at the Nationwide Tour co-sanctioned Moonah Classic followed a week later by second consecutive runner up finish at the HSBC NZ PGA Championship. Since returning to the Japan Golf Tour in 2009 he has played five events with two top ten finishes including a T2 at the Japan Golf Tour Championship in April. Most recent victory: 2005 Acom International (Japan Golf Tour). Coach: Dale Lynch (swing coach). Lives: Hamilton, New Zealand. Married to Cherie. Two children.
ABOUT THE 2009 US OPEN
Event: 109th US Open
When: June 18-21, 2009
Where: Bethpage State Park (Black Course), Farmingdale New York
Par: 7445 yards / Par 70
Purse: $USD7,500,000 ($AUD9,491,699)
2007 Champion: Tiger Woods (USA)
Past Australasian Winners:
· 2006 Geoff Ogilvy, Australia, Score: +5, Winged Foot Golf Club, West Course, Mamaroneck, New York
· 2005 Michael Campbell, New Zealand, Score: E, Pinehurst Resort, Course No. 2, Pinehurst, North Carolina
· 1981 David Graham, Australia, Score:-7, Merion Golf Club, East Course, Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Television Coverage in Australia: Live on Network Ten and ONE / Replayed on Fox Sports
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY'S PAIRINGS
The 60 lowest scorers plus ties or anyone within 10 strokes of the lead will make the cut.
1st tee, Thursday morning
Local starting time (AEST start)
7 a.m. A-Rickie Fowler, Casey Wittenberg, Bo Van Pelt
7:11 a.m. A-Drew Weaver, Angelo Que, Simon Khan
7:22 a.m. David Horsey, John Mallinger, Jose Manuel Lara
7:33 a.m. Rory Sabbatini, Martin Kaymer, Ryuji Imada
7:44 a.m. Vijay Singh, Jeev Milkha Singh, K.J. Choi
7:55 a.m (9:55pm) Ian Poulter, Justin Leonard, Robert Allenby
8:06 a.m. Padraig Harrington, Angel Cabrera, Tiger Woods
8:17 a.m. Ryan Moore, Ben Crane, Eric Axley
8:28 a.m. Lee Westwood, Zach Johnson, David Erdy
8:39 a.m. Bubba Watson, Johan Edfors, John Merrick,
8:50 a.m. Francesco Molinari, George McNeill, Simon Dyson
9:01 a.m. A-Cameron Tringale, Sean Farren, Andrew Parr
9:12 a.m. A-Vaughn Snyder, Ryan Spears, Michael Miles
10th tee, Thursday morning
7 a.m. J.P. Hayes, Greg Kraft, Jeff Brehaut
7:11 a.m (9:11pm) A-Drew Kittleson, Sangmoon Bae, Michael Sim
7:22 a.m. Heath Slocum, Charlie Wi, Richard Bland
7:33 a.m. Ben Curtis, Graeme McDowell, Chad Campbell
7:44 a.m. Henrik Stenson, Andrew Svoboda, Steve Stricker
7:55 a.m (9:55pm) Geoff Ogilvy, Jim Furyk, Paul Casey
8:06 a.m. Luke Donald, Clinton Jensen, Tim Clark
8:17 a.m. Andres Romero, Eduardo Romero, Miguel Angel Jimenez
8:28 a.m (10:28pm) Michael Campbell, Boo Weekley, Rod Pampling
8:39 a.m. Kevin Sutherland, Scott Lewis, Ken Duke
8:50 a.m. A-Bronson Burgoon, Craig Bowden, Chris Kirk
9:01 a.m. A-Ben Martin, Josh McCumber, Kevin Silva
9:12 a.m. A-Josh Brock, Trevor Murphy, Nathan Tyler
1st tee, Thursday afternoon
12:30 p.m (2:30am) James Nitties, Peter Tomasulo, Martin Laird
12:41 p.m (2:41am) David Smail, Cameron Beckman, Steve Allan
12:52 p.m. J.J. Henry, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Briny Baird
1:03 p.m. A-Kyle Stanley, Lucas Glover, D.J. Trahan
1:14 p.m. J.B. Holmes, Alvaro Quiros, Nick Watney
1:25 p.m (3:25am) Sergio Garcia, Camilo Villegas, Adam Scott
1:36 p.m. Rocco Mediate, Kenny Perry, Tom Lehman
1:47 p.m. Justin Rose, Sean O'Hair, Ross Fisher
1:58 p.m. Hunter Mahan, Oliver Wilson, Brandt Snedeker,
2:09 p.m. Billy Mayfair, Matthew Kuchar, Ricky Barnes,
2:20 p.m (4:20am) Darron Stiles, Shintaro Kai, Matthew Jones
2:31 p.m. A-Tyson Alexander, Charlie Beljan, Ryan Blaum
2:42 p.m (4:42am) A-Matt Nagy, Shawn Stefani, Doug Batty
10th tee, Thursday afternoon
12:30 p.m. Matthew Bettencourt, James Kamte, Kaname Yokoo
12:41 p.m. A-Nick Taylor, Scott Gutschewski, Gary Woodlan
12:52 p.m. Carl Pettersson, Azuma Yano, Charl Schwartzel
1:03 p.m. David Duval, David Toms, Darren Clarke
1:14 p.m. Anthony Kim, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson
1:25 p.m. Soren Kjeldsen, Soren Hansen, Peter Hanson
1:36 p.m. Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson
1:47 p.m (3:47am) Stuart Appleby, Fred Funk, Todd Hamilton
1:58 p.m. Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Stewart Cink
2:09 p.m. Thomas Levet, Jean-Francois Lucquin, Raphael Jacquelin
2:20 p.m. Andrew McLardy, Chris Stroud, Brian Gay
2:31 p.m. A-Clark Klaasen, Colby Beckstrom, Cameron Yancey
2:42 p.m. A-Kyle Peterman, Michael Welch, Cortland Lowe
1st tee, Friday morning
7 a.m. Matthew Bettencourt, James Kamte, Kaname Yokoo
7:11 a.m. A-Nick Taylor, Scott Gutschewski, Gary Woodland
7:22 a.m. Carl Pettersson, Azuma Yano, Charl Schwartzel
7:33 a.m. David Duval, David Toms, Darren Clarke
7:44 a.m. Anthony Kim, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson
7:55 a.m. Soren Kjeldsen, Soren Hansen, Peter Hanson
8:06 a.m. Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson
8:17 a.m (10:17pm) Stuart Appleby, Fred Funk, Todd Hamilton
8:28 a.m. Mike Weir, Stephen Ames, Stewart Cink
8:39 a.m. Thomas Levet, Jean-Francois Lucquin, Raphael Jacquelin
8:50 a.m. Andrew McLardy, Chris Stroud, Brian Gay
9:01 a.m. A-Clark Klaasen, Colby Beckstrom, Cameron Yancey
9:12 a.m. A-Kyle Peterman, Michael Welch, Cortland Lowe
10th tee, Friday morning wave
7 a.m (9:00pm) James Nitties, Peter Tomasulo, Martin Laird
7:11 a.m (9:11pm) David Smail, Cameron Beckman, Steve Allan
7:22 a.m. J.J. Henry, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Briny Baird
7:33 a.m. A-Kyle Stanley, Lucas Glover, D.J. Trahan
7:44 a.m. J.B. Holmes, Alvaro Quiros, Nick Watney
7:55 a.m (9:55pm) Sergio Garcia, Camilo Villegas, Adam Scott
8:06 a.m. Rocco Mediate, Kenny Perry, Tom Lehman
8:17 a.m. Justin Rose, Sean O'Hair, Ross Fisher
8:28 a.m. Hunter Mahan, Oliver Wilson, Brandt Snedeker,
8:39 a.m. Billy Mayfair, Matthew Kuchar, Ricky Barnes,
8:50 a.m (10:50pm) Darron Stiles, Shintaro Kai, Matthew Jones
9:01 a.m. A-Tyson Alexander, Charlie Beljan, Ryan Blaum
9:12 a.m (11:12pm) A-Matt Nagy, Shawn Stefani, Doug Batty
1st tee, Friday afternoon wave
12:30 p.m. J.P. Hayes, Greg Kraft, Jeff Brehaut
12:41 p.m (2:41am) A-Drew Kittleson, Sangmoon Bae, Michael Sim
12:52 p.m. Heath Slocum, Charlie Wi, Richard Bland
1:03 p.m. Ben Curtis, Graeme McDowell, Chad Campbell
1:14 p.m. Henrik Stenson, Andrew Svoboda, Steve Stricker
1:25 p.m (3:25am) Geoff Ogilvy, Jim Furyk, Paul Casey
1:36 p.m. Luke Donald, Clinton Jensen, Tim Clark
1:47 p.m. Andres Romero, Eduardo Romero, Miguel Angel Jimenez
1:58 p.m (3:58am) Michael Campbell, Boo Weekley, Rod Pampling
2:09 p.m. Kevin Sutherland, Scott Lewis, Ken Duke
2:20 p.m. A-Bronson Burgoon, Craig Bowden, Chris Kirk
2:31 p.m. A-Ben Martin, Josh McCumber, Kevin Silva
2:42 p.m. A-Josh Brock, Trevor Murphy, Nathan Tyler
10th tee, Friday afternoon wave
12:30 p.m. A-Rickie Fowler, Casey Wittenberg, Bo Van Pelt
12:41 p.m. A-Drew Weaver, Angelo Que, Simon Khan
12:52 p.m. David Horsey, John Mallinger, Jose Manuel Lara
1:03 p.m. Rory Sabbatini, Martin Kaymer, Ryuji Imada
1:14 p.m. Vijay Singh, Jeev Milkha Singh, K.J. Choi
1:25 p.m (3:25am) Ian Poulter, Justin Leonard, Robert Allenby
1:36 p.m. Padraig Harrington, Angel Cabrera, Tiger Woods
1:47 p.m. Ryan Moore, Ben Crane, Eric Axley
1:58 p.m. Lee Westwood, Zach Johnson, David Erdy
2:09 p.m. Bubba Watson, Johan Edfors, John Merrick,
2:20 p.m. Francesco Molinari, George McNeill, Simon Dyson
2:31 p.m. A-Cameron Tringale, Sean Farren, Andrew Parr
2:42 p.m. A-Vaughn Snyder, Ryan Spears, Michael Miles
Among the benefits enjoyed by the Open winner are:
an Open exemption for the next 10 years
an invitation to the next five Masters Tournaments
an invitation to the next five British Open Championships
an invitation to the next five Players Championships
an invitation to the next five PGA Championships
exempt status on the PGA Tour for five years
Qualifying for the other majors
The top 15 finishers (and ties) are exempt for next year’s (2009) U.S. Open
The top 8 finishers (and ties) are invited to next year’s (2009) Masters Tournament
The winner qualifies for this year’s (2008) OPEN Championship
The winner qualifies for this year’s (2008) PGA Championship