Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:15 PM:We're back for Day 2 of the practice rounds at the U.S. Open. After two days of June Gloom, the sun is making its first appearance at Torrey Pines today. If that continues, look for the greens out here to firm up and send scores higher. If it remains cool as it has been the past two days the greens should be softer and allow for some lower scores.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:16 PM:Just wanted to put my two cents in on the stay-at-home vs. be-here debate between Loren and Landon on how to watch the U.S. Open. I asked Greg Maddux earlier in the Padres' homestand what he planned to do with the Open right in his backyard. Maddux, a pretty darn good golfer, said he's going to stay at home and watch in High Def. It's hard to argue with his point that you can watch the entire field instead of seeing a handful of guys. Oh yeah. For you fantasy sports geeks out there, Maddux has a fantasy golf team.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:18 PM:Surprise, surprise. Tiger Woods went to the practice putting green around 10:30 a.m. and 11,000 people followed causing a backup in traffic all the way to Alpine. Staff writer Brian Hiro got caught up in the mess and was almost swallowed alive. Fortunately he escaped but not before catching one sequence where a woman requested "Can you smile for us Tiger?" And he did. The crowd went wild. Women were fainting. People started randomly doing The Robot. Brian even saw one gentleman crowd surfing. That's what you're missing.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:22 PM:Walking around today I saw a couple who was misinformed on what event they were at. She was wearing black-and-white checkered pants and he was wearing matching shorts. Folks, the Indianapolis 500 was three weeks ago.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:27 PM:Another Chris Berman sighting. The ESPN luminary was out at the practice putting green shooting the breeze with a bunch of players. So I figured it was the perfect chance to ask him some of his favorite all-time golf nicknames.
David "Ground Control to Major" Toms
Curtis "People are" Strange or Curtis Strange "Brew"
and
Bob "curds and" Tway.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:30 PM:A little more from Berman.
The man's top round ever is an 84. He thinks his game isn't what it used to be but he still enjoys playing. That's easy to understand considering he's played in the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach in each of the last three years.
His favorite playing partners: Huey Lewis, Glenn Frey and Kevin Costner during a practice round earlier this year.
Lifetime highlight: sinking a birdie on the 18th at Pebble on Saturday to make the cut. The amateur opposite him in the foursome, Bill Murray.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:38 PM:Phil Mickelson practiced his putting for the entire 30 minutes I was green-side, lining up 10 balls in a perfect circle about two feet from the hole. That gave me an idea for how the PGA handles any and all future playoffs. What if they set up a similar system with 10 balls lined up in a circle, and gave each player 30 seconds to make as many as they could. They repeat the task in a best-of-seven format to determine a winner. But here's the catch. Prior to the first round and in between each round, players must chug a beer. Could make for an interesting finish.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:48 PM:In actual news: USGA officials have put the players on notice that they may use the shorter tees on the 14th hole, reducing the length from 450 yards to 277 yards. That would make the hole easily reachable with a driver but would bring the canyon behind it into play. At one point the USGA considered not even telling the players.
In another note: Sean O'Hair withdrew from the Open and will be replaced by Gary Wolstenholme of England, a 47-year-old career amateur. Wolstenholme qualified with rounds of 68-71----139 at a sectional qualifier on June 2 in London, England. He begins play at 1:03 p.m. Thursday.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:56 PM:Murrieta Valley High grad Rickie Fowler was seen signing autographs as he walked between the driving range and the practice green. Fowler, one of 10 amateurs in the field of 156, said he signed a lot of autographs when he played the Verizon Heritage event at Harbour Town in S.C., but this time it's a little different because people in the gallery actually recognize the Oklahoma State freshman. "(At the Verizon) one kid turned around and said 'Dad, who is that?'" Fowler said. Thursday's round will be only the third ever for Fowler at Torrey Pines.

Corey wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:37 PM:Hey Dan. Can you tell us a little about the media coverage thus far? I know the first round isn't until Thursday but I wanted to see what the media tent is like, how crowded and how much international media is covering the event.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:37 PM:Ernie Els was in a good mood at the driving range before heading out for nine holes late this afternoon. The South African feels fortunate to enter the event fourth in the world rankings, after missing the cut at The Memorial and BMW PGA Championship to drop from third. When asked about playing in a group that doesn't feature Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, and the relatively small crowd that will follow them, Els laughed and said: "I'll take the quiet group."

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:39 PM:Quick report from the course from Staff writer Brian Hiro who saw Chargers long-snapper David Binn and kicker Nate Kaeding walking on the course inconspicuously. Guess that means Binn didn't have ex-girlfriend Pamela Anderson with him.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:55 PM:Staff writer Matt Null asked one of San Diego's finest how his afternoon was going: "It's better than arresting dopeheads." San Diego PD has two officers each assigned to Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els. Other big names like Sergio Garcia, Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie and Jim Furyk are also protected.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 4:06 PM:Great question, Corey. USGA officials gave a rough estimate of 960 working credentials having been issued for print, photo and radio only. Those officials, however, informed me that doesn't include NBC, ESPN, The Golf Channel or any other TV outlets. Even though there are many of us out here, we aren't crowded. The media tent is large and seats up to 300 people at once. The tent is probably large enough to host an NFL practice, the food is great, and I'm going to be honest here, the portable bathrooms are much nicer than 90 percent of facilities I've used in my entire life. There's wood paneling, soft jazz and they're clean.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 5:28 PM:A couple of observations from Staff writer Jay Paris. ---- A number of players were signing autographs today, something that will become more rare once play begins Thursday. ---- Jay also noted the warm weather at Torrey Pines on Wednesday and said the temperature always seems to rise during a premier event. When the Raiders-Buccaneers Super Bowl kicked off in 2003 the game-time temperature was 89 degrees. ---- Cameras were clicking all over the course throughout the early part of the week but that won't be allowed as of Thursday.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 5:32 PM:Jay also had a great observation about Tiger Woods. What's the big deal with Tiger playing on a bum knee? Philip Rivers played the AFC Championship with no anterior cruciate ligament. And seriously, if my carpel tunnel develops any further ---- just kidding, Lee Enterprises ---- this whole blogging system and the two Web hits it has produced will come crashing down. Bum knee, please.

Corey wrote on Jun 11, 2008 5:33 PM:Soft jazz? Like Boney James or Kenny G? OK, that's not so important. Thanks for the answer. Enjoy the blog keep up the good work. Saw you later.

Staff writer Dan Hayes wrote on Jun 11, 2008 6:13 PM:Quick observation about the merchandise pavilion. After much deliberation, I mustered up the courage to step inside the doors. First impression: that place is like a clown car. You walk inside and wonder where all this room and this merchandise came from. Second, it kind of has a Vegas approach to selling going on as they have the air conditioning at full throttle. Every time I passed under a vent I felt more and more like spending money.