As long as it is fair, then I am all for it. I just hope they don't go over the top this weekend, I would be happy with a winning score of around par, but when it gets to too many over, then for me that is a little bit too much.

It's not a case of making all the holes easier, but a few more realistic birdie opportunities to even things up is never a bad thing.

US Open is generally set up to reward precision. However, when they make it so difficult, luck factor plays a big role. You hit a very good shot, one rolls down to an impossible spot, and another hits the same good shot and lands in a comfy place.

I don't care about the scores tbh. It's the competition, shot making, drama and excitement. Folks that care about low scores are the same as those that don't like football because there's not enough goals.

This thread will probably pick up now the weekend has arrived.

Well done Russell Knox. Great time for golf in the Highlands.. Scottish Open next month and a local boy making the cut in the US Open

Been a good couple of days so far, enjoyed it. I prefer courses like this where it favours precision shots off the tee, separates the classier Golfers from just the big hitters

Really bunching up at the top. A few lesser known names are making progress, not just the usual suspects.

Fowler has finished his round at +4 shooting -2 today which looks a cracking score already.

Stand to win £200 quid if he wins it and whilst I doubt he'll be in the mix tomorrow night you just never know.

Schwartzel is the dangerman here if he can keep his putter ticking along nicely, he's struggled through the last few days on the green. He's starting to find birdies now though.

Schwartzel is the dangerman here if he can keep his putter ticking along nicely, he's struggled through the last few days on the green. He's starting to find birdies now though.

Good point major, last few tournaments he's been top rated tee to green but the putts would not drop but a lot were grazing it.

Igor,

I wasn't aware of that so it does make his work with the putter all the more vital but as we well know it hasn't been the case for much of his Open so far.

We often say during Majors it could go any way but it really is the case here at Merion. Fantastic Open this so far.

Just find it slightly sad that there's already whispers that this fantastic course mightn't be seeing another Open again. Money ruling minds, surely not?

Can the USGA not take a hit once in a blue moon and just allow for some interesting golf on a very testing course? Hope it's just rumours mind.

Mickelson's putter is blowing the fairy tale win I'm afraid here.

Who are we backing here gents?

My 5 to follow are on the first page of the thread.

The last time it was held here was 32 years ago, so many courses built since put paid to that time scale but as you point out major money talks and with 20k people less than the norm it may never get back but Kudos To Mike Davis for making it happen, I'm a purist and love this test of golf.........to watch obviously

Igor,

You're in the mix there with Rosé and Mahan. Can't ask for much more than that right now. G Mac was a surprise this week, thought this type of course would be tailor-made for him.

Although Montgomery has tipped Mahan so he might be in the lurch now.

Schwartzel at 22s on Thursday is looking increasingly fantastic value as we speak.

Sorry I thought for some bizarre reason Fowler had finished, no idea why. It's been a long day. Slipping back down now for my bets.

All you can ask for by the end of today is that you've got someone who is still in contention. They of course call Saturday moving day, but the problem with anyone who plays a good round today is that it is so difficult to back that up again tomorrow.

I too have noticed in the last few tournaments that Schwartzel has been great tee to green but the putts just haven't been falling for him. No-one is going to make a whole load of putts on a course like this, so he certainly looks in a good position.

It was almost fate that G-Mac missed the cut - everyone seemed to be tipping him, I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes. I think when the conditions are this tough, and the winning score isn't likely to be a lot better than par, it doesn't suit the likes of Tiger or Rory, but it makes for great value on other golfers.

Can't believe I didn't go for Luke, backed him most majors last few years and set up for his strengths, fowler was a decent pick has a great walker cup record at this course but that was match play.

Kinsang well said and not to give you a head mate but a thread on the Utd board a few weeks ago asking their top 5 Fav posters, I named you mate, you may not say a lot but when do post it's always balanced.

I always avoid Donald. I know a lot of people rate him, but for me, he's never really got himself in true contention in previous majors, even though he has a few top 10 finishes. I agree that this course should suit him, especially as his lack of length of the tee isn't a problem. He's also come into this in not quite top form, so perhaps there has been less expectation, but until he actually wins, I'm not totally convinced.

Watch out for Day as well. Steadily moving up the leaderboard here and has the habit now of playing deep into Majors.

Nearly man at Augusta and is probably due a big one soon you'd think.

Thanks Igor. Sometimes I have a 'wee stint' on here, and then I'm not on for a few days/weeks, but you're obviously a great judge of character .

What I usually find on Sunday will be that all these names will be mentioned as in with a chance, and then on the back 9 someone from nowhere will suddenly make 2 or 3 birdies and the others will start to drop shots........

Major winners like Campbell, Glover, Ogilvie, they really did come out of the blue. I might just pick a couple of lesser known ones at the end of today and see how they do.

Also notice that 'Gonzo' is playing well, and outdoing Tiger and Rory - I wonder what price he was for that 3 ball.

Special mention to Kim, the amateur, also. He couldn't, could he.....................

Kinsang enough of this man love

And Simpson last year.

I've paused this so much tonight I'm about half behind and I'm dreading up-dates

An hour *

kinsang,

The way it's looking if someone is going to come from further behind to win this it'll take a Grahamesque performance and I can't see it happening myself.

It's been so difficult to get momentum for everyone out there this week. Of course anything can happen in a Major but it will be extremely difficult to shoot a 66 or 67 here for those further back.

It will be fun finding out all the same.

Igor,

I did the same thing last night and ended up about 45 minutes behind. Received a message from a friend in the pub telling me my bets were on the slide before I had an idea. Was delighted to find out.

My lips are firmly seeled.

Major - they may not be that far back, but you know what it's like. The big names will be concentrated on, and the lesser ones, even if they're only 3 or 4 shots behind, won't get much of a mention until one of them gets a couple of birdies, and then the commentators will say that he has come from nowhere to win.........

I particularly remember that Ogilvie didn't seem to be mentioned that much until Monty and Phil bottled the final hole (both from the fairway I think). It's like Gonzo tonight - scoring better than either Rory or Tiger, but you wouldn't know it from the coverage.

And Kim really is having a stormer!!!!!!

kinsang,

I see your point now. Yes that's fair. Suppose we've seen enough in US Open history to suggest you mighn't be far wrong in that sense.

Anyhow I'm calling it a night gents before I end up giving Igor an update he doesn't want. Hopefully catch the thread tomorrow evening and here's hoping for a winner among us.