Expect to see a huge gallery following one particular flight at the US Open at Torrey Pines next week.
Organisers have guaranteed a huge presence for the 8.06am tee-off on Thursday, with world number one Tiger Woods and second-ranked Phil Mickelson drawn into the same group.
If that didn’t have enough drawing power, Australian world number three Adam Scott has been thrown into the mix. Reg Jones, managing director of the championship, uttered a bit of an understatement when he said in a Sign On San Diego article:
“Obviously, with Tiger and Phil and Adam playing together, we’re expecting a lot of people will be wanting to see them.â€
Organisers expect major traffic problems as folks try to make their way to the early tee-off while battling congested roads. Already 42,500 tickets have been sold for each round.
The organisers have been criticised for their moves, being accused of not having thought it through and claiming Woods alone would be enough to draw in a decent crowd no matter what time he tees off.
Earlier this week, Woods had his first round in anger, at the Torry Pines course, since recovering from knee surgery that has kept him out of the game for almost two months.
Woods underwent arthroscopic surgery immediately after April’s Masters, where he finished second, but timed his recovery to compete at the US Open.
His swing coach said only he and Woods were at the course, which was protected from the public and media by heavy security, and the golfer was merely using it as an opportunity to test his knee.
Haney said Woods didn’t keep score, often played several balls and did not walk. But Haney is confident Woods is ready, as he said in an AP article:
“Everything held up good. Obviously, he didn’t walk. But he hit the ball really good. In the deep stuff, it’s a sand wedge, maybe a 9-iron at the most. We were messing around on No. 10 and he tried to hit a 5-wood. Even when the grass is deep, if you open the face and hit a cut, you might scoot it 150 yards. It’s quite a sight to see Tiger 165 yards from the pin with a 5-wood.â€
