It would take an awful lot of backing up from Lucas Glover and Ricky Barnes to bring the rest of the field behind them into the picture at the 109th U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park's Black Course.

Both Glover and Barnes are atop the leaderboard, currently five shots clear of a star-studded group at two-under that includes Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Hunter Mahan and Ross Fisher. Mike Weir is alone at one-under for the event while the group at even-par features Tiger Woods, Soren Hansen, Graeme McDowell, Bubba Watson and Retief Goosen.

This thing is far from over as history has shown that the leaders traditionally back up, at least a little, through the final round of a US Open. Should that happen and a player or two within striking distance (two, three, four, five shots back) gets on a roll, there is no telling what the result of this Open will be. It remains to be seen if either or both Glover and/or Barnes can remain five full shots ahead of the field for the duration of the final round as this is uncharted water for both of these players.

TIGER: Has Tiger Woods played himself back into this tournament? That is the question. You would think so after posting rounds of 74-69-68 in his first three rounds, good, but not great scores, that leave him seven shots back of the leaders with only 11 holes left in his US Open.

For all the conversation of where Tiger was after the Memorial, it might have been all done in by the luck of the draw. Starting early-late in this Open put Tiger on the wrong side of the weather on Thursday, then when things got backed up on Friday, not only did he not put a peg in the ground for what seemed like forever, he missed some of the best scoring conditions Bethpage had seen all week long. What Tiger needs now is to get white hot and have everyone in front of him fade, which is not a likely combination.

PHIL: Philly Mick has tallied an amazing 15 birdies so far but has also posted nine bogeys and two doubles. For all the traction Lefty has amassed, he's given almost all of it right back it seems. Still he is two under entering the fourth round and trails the leaders by just five shots, which on a golf course like Bethpage Black in the condition that it's in can be just a two or three hole train wreck. Mickelson is even through two holes of his final round and needs to go on another birdie binge like he had in round three (seven birdies) while staying away from disaster (four bogeys and a double in Rd.3). Another 69 or 70 just won't do for Lefty to bring home his first US Open. He gave one away at Winged Foot, can he come from behind and claim one at Bethpage?

HUNTER: Hunter Mahan has put up consecutive 2-under par 68s following an opening round two-over 72. Mahan is also even par through two holes of his fourth round and needs to stay away from the bogey train (a stretch of four straight; Holes 5-8 in Round One) and the big number such as the two double bogeys he's posted after a string of two straight birdies. No question Mahan has the firepower to light it up at Bethpage, the question here is, does he have the patience to go along with it, to know when to lock and load?

Double-D: David Duval "shocked" the world with his opening round 67 at the US Open at Bethpage Black. Since that round he's backed it up with bookend, even par rounds of 70, but it is not the number that tells the true story. During each of his three completed rounds so far, Duval has had it going, only to give it back. Here is a man who put up five birdies in his opening round against two bogeys. Then in his second round 70, Duval holed another five birdies, this time against five bogeys. In his third round Double D notched four birdies to go along with four bogeys again posting an even par round of 70. The fire is there, the desire seems to be there and the game is certainly there. Duval has talked about the improvement in his game and its beginning to show, now if he can just avoid the untimely miscue. Duval is one over through two holes of his final round. Now would be a very good time to start the climb towards another multiple birdie round.

 Page 1 of 2 (view all on one page)

Next >>

1 comment about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by sandstorm on June 22, 2009 at 8:16 a.m. (report)

poor tiger! nothing but bad luck for that guy! his position starting the day surely could not have been from playing average golf. stupid weather. stupid luck.

Recent blogs/briefs by Chuck Garbedian

U.S. Open recap, Round 3 June 22, 2009 It would take an awful lot of backing up from Lucas Glover and Ricky Barnes to bring the ...

U.S. Open wrapup: Round 2 June 21, 2009 Rain has been the major story at the U.S. Open, but there is plenty of golf to be played ...

U.S. Open, Day 2 -- or 1.5 -- wrapup June 20, 2009 Amid all the talk of rain and ticket refunds, they did play a little golf at the U.S. ...

U.S. Open gets off to a soggy start June 19, 2009 Rainy weather at Bethpage Black, or "Wetpage Black," dampened spirits -- and everything ...

Woods and Mickelson stage a masterful sideshow April 13, 2009 Take Tiger Woods, toss in a side of Phil Mickelson and present it on the platter of a ...