Friday U.S. Open Notebook: Make sure Bubba Watson hits the snooze button this weekend

Brandon Tucker,
Staff Writer

OAKMONT, Pa. - After shooting a 1-over 71 this afternoon, Bubba Watson admitted he prefers teeing off in the morning - not a great characteristic for someone near the top of the U.S. Open leaderboard entering the weekend.

"I'm not good on afternoon rounds by sitting around all morning," Watson said. "I got up this morning and checked to see the coverage, and waiting around all day thinking about how the bad shots were going to be and the good shots were going to be, but I hung in there."

He also said playing with friend Boo Weekley during the first two rounds helped him relax because they think (or don't think) the same way on course.

"He's out there thinking about video games; I'm thinking about fishing."

Phil Mickelson leaves parting shots

Phil Mickelson saw the writing on the wall as he finished the tournament at 11-over par before the afternoon times teed off.

But he isn't giving the USGA credit for the high scores. A day after Mickelson called Oakmont the USGA's "wet dream,", he had more backhanded compliments.

"The rough was cut in half, the greens are slow, the pins are easy ... I don't know what (the USGA) is doing out there."

Zach Johnson no Master of Oakmont

Count Masters champ Zach Johnson among those who don't think Oakmont is fair.

"I can count all the bad shots I hit today on one hand," he said en route to a 74 and 10-over going into the weekend. "I hit two perfect shots today where as soon as it left my club I knew it'd be perfect. Then it turns out I'm trying to scramble for par."

He also agrees with Mickelson about the rough possibly being dangerous, though maybe not for him.

"It's definitely dangerous, but I don't hit the ball that hard."

No gimmies at Oakmont

The par-5 4th was the only hole playing under par by the field on Thursday, but was playing at 5.24 Friday.

Bad omen for Tiger Woods?

None of Tiger Woods' 12 majors have come on a golf course that is a par-70. The only player ahead of him on the leaderboard going into the weekend with a major victory is David Toms, who won the 2001 PGA Championship.

June 16, 2007