Sunday: Left Rochester around 5:00 in the AM and was planning to overnight in Greensboro until I got  a call from "The Nerd". He had secured a room at the Motel 6, right down the street from Pine Needles, for just under $50 out the door and I couldn't pass it up. The next day that room was $95 + tax. Isn't capitalism wonderful?

Monday: Arose before daybreak to walk the course and beat the first tee time but a morning rain delayed the initial group by two hours. The maintenance crew has priority, so time was given to complete their duties and I managed to do all my work with no interference.

Even though this is our third time here, it will be my first time toting a sack. I worked TV the year Annika won and didn't make it the second time around.

The course is in superb condition and a bit deceiving at first look. Generous fairways and light rough does not an Open make (especially after watching the torture at Oakmont) but here its the greens that make all the difference. Plenty of slope at lightning speeds, false fronts that will send the ball right back at you and drop off areas that will snag an errant approach and deposit it twenty yards to the side leaving a difficult recovery.

• Nice ride: Looks as if the Lexus LS460 has been given to each contestant this week. I'm sure this is as close most will ever get to owning this dream machine. They even had the GPS programmed to the players hotel if it was suitable.

Dina, stickin' it to me.

• Lets play: Surrounded by the typical Open theatrics, we teed it up with Allison Fouch and Paula Creamer. Groupings are posted on a big board and are announced as if it was the opening round. A fairly good gallery was on hand and I managed to snap a couple of shots. By the way, nine holes were plenty for the first day.

A "Kodak moment" on the first tee.

Doin' the wave. 

• Now is the time: Plenty of autograph seekers for a Monday and if you position yourself in the right spot, it's a sure thing.

Paula signing a dollar bill. Defacing currency is a no-no isn't it?

• Something you should try? I noticed an odd ritual by Paula while putting and at first I thought her looper, Colin Cann, was just getting lazy till I asked what it was all about. Seems it helps with the correct shoulder movement.

Who needs a caddie?

• In the spotlight: This time it was Kristina Tucker's turn under the microscope.

This one is for Lisbet (Kristina's mom) in Sweden.

• A bit premature? Berkleigh may not become an abyss after all. Received this email with a more detailed explanation. So goes the rumor mill.

• Natalie update: She's taking it easy at least until Wednesday. Just chipped and putted the course today and may hit a few wedges tomorrow. A full practice round is hoped for the nest day.

Tuesday: The plan was an early 18 holes then call it a day but after just a hole and a half, we could tell it would be an interminable experience. Yesterday's pace was perfect with tee times set just right, but it seems more practice than necessary was the order of the day so "Plan B" was enacted. We packed it in on two fairway and headed for Paul's trailer for our third and fourth cups of coffee. He's at the other end of the range adjacent to number two and next to the practice chipping area. Between coffees, we got our fill of chipping and tested our new Taylor Hybrid to replace the four iron.

The second part of  "Plan B" was to have Sherrie Turner (one of our playing partners) alert us as they approached the turn. The ninth hole does not come back to the clubhouse so we joined them again for the back nine and turned out to be the perfect scenario. Dina still had plenty of notes from the last two times she played here and I got to get a second look.

• Do they all look alike? The local paper had a feature on the "Seoul Sisters" at The Open and made a glaring error in recognition. They had a picture of Grace Park and identified her as Grace Kim. When you think about it, there was a pretty good chance her last name was Kim anyway. Check it out here.

• If at first you don't succeed ... Natalie Gulbis has been stalked by a guy for the last few weeks and he was promptly escorted off the premises when he showed up yesterday . There's a reason they're called "stalkers" though and today presented  another chance to track his prey. He managed to actually get close to Natalie and have his picture taken with her until her caddie spotted him and alerted the police. He was arrested this time and charged with trespassing.

Look familiar?

• Travel woes: Trying to get here from Rochester took a turn for the worse for US Airways travelers. Crews failed to show (no explanation given) and by the time another flight got them on their way, connections were missed in Philly. Tales of caddies sleeping at the airport and multiple players sharing one hotel room to save a few bucks (floor space available) and catch the 6:30 AM flight bristled.

Now this is one for the books. Gary Gilchrist, one of the endless line of instructors imported this week to perform miracles, went just a bit out of the way in an attempt to get here. Picking up his rental auto in Raleigh, he inserted Pinehurst as his destination in the provided GPS and went on his way. The problem is, there is more than one Pinehurst and the one in Georgia is not it! By the time he realized his faux pas, a trip that was less than an hour and a half took seven!

• Cadero perks: Breakfast and lunch are provide daily along with a cadre of flies searching for their own free eats. Caddie Hospitality is located very close to the first tee in what seems to be a garage but it's good enough for our lot. It is complimented with two TV sets, a computer to track the scoring, a few cushiony seating areas to rest our aching butts and cooled by portable AC units. If it just had a keg, nirvana would be a possibility.

Another benefit offered to the bag toters is a free Reiki session. Designed for stress reduction and relaxation, it will be surely needed before this week is done.

Jon and Greg checking out the wanted poster.

• They're at it again: An attempt by one of the players patriarchs to enter their locker room was thwarted by the security guard and a brief verbal exchange ensued. The intruder berated and generally cussed out the guard in his native language figuring it would be lost in translation but the tables were turned in quick order. It seems the sentry was stationed for three years in the interloper's country, serving our military, and let him know he knew the lingo fluently. What language was it you wonder? Korean of course. Things just don't change do they?

• How she's doin'? You can find out about our new mum, Karen Stupples, here. Looks as if she'll be teeing it up again in a few weeks.

Wednesday: No golf for us today just a few hours of practice. In by ten, out by three-thirty. 

• Open Fever, try not to catch it! It happens this time year and probably will evermore. Open Fever ravages throughout the field claiming victims as we approach. I reprint this every year with the venue as the only change but it describes it perfectly.

There is an insidious short lived disease spreading through the confines of Pine Needles. "Open Fever" is it's name and mind demolition is it's game. It is recognized by some or all of the following symptoms.

1. Nervousness.

2. Irritability.

3. Euphoria/giddiness. 

4. Irrational thought.

5. Knotted intestinal tract.

6. The feeling of impending doom.

Other symptoms may apply depending on the individual's psyche.

One example is In-Bee Park. She arrived early and played eighteen on Sunday, nine more Monday, touched 'em all again on Tuesday and finished it off with eighteen more today.

• Caddie down! The heat caught up with Carl "The Caddie Machine" and he has decided to bow out of the tournament. He went down yesterday with heat exhaustion and dehydration and was cautioned not to work the rest of the week. Irene Cho will have "Motion" on the bag for this year's Open.

• What was that again? Lightning threatened the area yesterday and play was halted just after three. The course was closed the rest of the day even though the practice facilities reopened at five. The reason no one could play? The volunteers had been sent home. Would they really have been needed so late in the day? I think not. Annika's group teed off late and only managed to play two holes prior to the suspension.

Play was called again at three-thirty today as another storm neared. Don't know if they closed it for the rest of the day.

• Major looper: Jenny Lidback (winner of the 1995 du Maurier Ltd. Classic when it had Major status) is toting the sack for Mo Martin this week.

• Here comes the good stuff: Food in Caddie Hospitality has taken an upturn as the continental breakfast was supplemented with eggs and sausages and lunch with baby back ribs. I noticed one peculiar breakfast combo this morning and had to record it for posterity.

Sausage links, donut and a strawberry. What more do you need?

• On the shopping list: Dina has really taking a liking to that Lexus and vows a top ten finish will have one in her garage. She discovered the electronic rear window sunshade and is fascinated with the hands free parallel-park feature.

Thursday: We're finally over the hump in what may be the longest week in golf. All the shots count from now on and we were four over our projected limit. Shot 75.

Our group was the second off the back nine but started as if we hovered in the middle of the field. Dreadfully slow until the stop watch was put on the group in front after five holes. They sped up and were in position three holes later. Finished in just under five hours.

• Player down! Brandie Burton took a tumble early this morning departing from her abode and again after arriving at the course. A diagnosis revealed a severe ankle strain and possible broken bone. She was hastily replace by alternate Janice Gibson, who teed off in the group in front of us, and only had time to whack about five range balls prior to play. Of course, a looper needed to be found and did not arrive till the second hole but an adequate substitute was on hand. It was former PGA Tour player Pat McGowan. 

Speaking of alternates, did you know they are allowed on site but forbidden by the USGA to play a practice round or even walk inside the ropes if not officially in the event? Is one eighteen hole round (to get them prepared) asking too much?

• Quote of the week? "Scraper" is looping for Esther Choe and had quite a pithy observation concerning her tender years. "She's as old as my shoe size." Not bad for the big man. His is seventeen after all.

• A taxing experience: Well, it's going to be for Amy Hung. She was just notified that the bundle she made in last year's Open wasn't included on her tax return. Can you say penalties and interest?

• More of the same: Storms are wrecking havoc for the third day in a row but you just can't close down and pack it in as before. They'll play till dark and we'll do likewise in the morrow.

Friday: Our rescheduled start time of 2:56 was stretched another 30 minutes and we almost made it to the tee before the second delay was enacted. Storm cells popped up one after another so, with no break in sight, they sent us home at 5:30. We resume at 7:30 tomorrow.

• What aren't they telling us? When Dina finished yesterday, an unusual query was conferred just before leaving the scoring trailer. "Do you wish to be notified if you have a stalker?" took her aback and I can see why. For some people though, what you don't know won't hurt you is probably the best policy.

• Reversal of fortunes: Dina and I were standing together when Amy told of her so-called tax dilemma but it must have been lost in translation (that seems to be going around). Here's the real scoop. When registering this week, she was asked why the check she earned in last year's Open was not cashed as of yet? Amy did claim the earnings on her tax form but failed to confirm its deposit. It was just a mere $32,873 so I understand the oversight. They cut her another one and I'm sure it's earning interest by now.

• In the running? Another good quote comes from Dan Dormann's husband John. He's looping for his wife and must be a reflection on her play so far. "It's a tough course when you can't get the ball in the air." No truer assertion has ever been expressed.

• This will clear things up, maybe: After Suzann Pettersen was assessed two blows for slow play in Rochester, I received an email from Grey, in Vonore TN, asking to explain the rule. If you happen to be of like mind, just click the link under Tour Stuff on the home page or right here for all your questions to be answered. The USGA rulesas follows.  are different so this one doesn't apply for The Open.

• Tell me what you think: Is anyone out there getting an iPhone? I love gadgets and like to get an impartial review even though I probably wont make the move. OpenMoko may challenge Apple down the road one day at a significantly lower cost. Here's a look-see on the design.

Saturday: Low scores reflected the perfect playing condition of soft greens from yesterday's rain and no wind. We shot +1 and made the cut. In fact, our whole group did with Amy Hung being one of the leaders.

Play began on schedule for round three and predictions of gloom and doom weather-wise never materialized. In fact, this was purported to be the worst day so far and it turned out to be the best with no delays. We concluded play around eight and the rain and lightning hit twenty minutes later. All we're asking for is one more good day.

• Hard work pays off: I did a detailed mapping of the greens with my Exelys Green Reader and it paid off on our last hole of the day. It was the second hole a 450 yard par 4 with the pin tucked back right. I had the entire green sloping from right to left except for that back right corner which was straight. Dina asked what I charted then made the putt for birdie ending the day on a high note.

• Mental mush: That's my opinion of what resides inside the cranium of Michelle Wie. If what I overheard yesterday is true, a prolonged sabbatical from golf may be the only thing able to bring her back. I can't prove the following and it may be considered hearsay, but here goes. 

Michelle saw a sports psychologist and affirmed she did not wish to participate in The Open. When asked if she would reveal this to her parents she assented, but when they were brought into the room, she couldn't' pull the trigger and said just the opposite. Sounds like a good case for some type of  intervention

• That was fast: Got a reply from Joe in Medina OH on the iPhone. He purchased three and put two on eBay. Smart move Joe. His assessment so far is as follows. "It is truly a great gadget. A couple downfalls is no push email and the EDGE network is a little slow." If you wish to see this little beauty put through its paces check this video on engadget.com.

Sunday: Finished our third round -1 and the fourth +2. Placed 22nd and made a good check.