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Post by The Boss on May 5, 2022 10:03:59 GMT
Round 1 - We were at Pebble Beach earlier in the season for the AT&T National Pro-Am, won by Tiger Woods who is one of the favourites for this second Major of the 2000 season. The par has been reduced from 72 to 71 for this event and the weather forecast was not favourable. In fact, the opening day would see plenty of rain and howling winds, and would provide a stiff challenge. If Ian McKinley had been hoping for his favourite dry, fast greens he would have been disappointed. After the heavy downpours the putting surfaces were left sluggish and many putts were left short of their target. Ian came in with a slightly unsatisfactory 72 and headed straight to the clubhouse for a few beers. Randy Grant, like Ian, lost interest during his round but still managed a 71 and was last seen also heading for the clubhouse, no doubt intending to join his disgruntled colleague for a few libations. On a more positive note Bob Fletcher, after his win at Friars Head last week, appears to have found a new level to his game and he was delighted with his 67, which included finishing birdies on #17 and #18. Bob was tied 4th, just behind Miguel Jimenez and Tiger Woods, but the leader at close of play was Charlie Roberts who turned more than a few heads with an exceptional 62 that rewarded him with a three-stroke lead. Can Charlie maintain his hot form?   
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Post by The Boss on May 6, 2022 12:12:23 GMT
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Post by The Boss on May 8, 2022 12:50:49 GMT
Round 3 - We still had high intensity winds, and the greens were becoming speedier. Also, barring a catastrophe of biblical proportions, Charlie Roberts will be the US Open champion of 2000 because he is absolutely blitzing this course! Today Charlie fired his third 62 of the tourney, even with a couple of bogeys, to extend his lead over Tiger Woods to an incredible 19 shots with one round still to play!! Ian McKinley enjoyed his round of 70 which included an eagle on the 6th, a score that moved him into 4th spot, just three strokes behind Bob Fletcher. Bob carded a 72 and his putting was the main reason for his highest score of the event so far, but he remains in 3rd place, just two shots behind Tiger. Les Souter and Randy Grant were still out on the course at the time of this report, but I doubt if either of them will be challenging Charlie...   
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Post by The Boss on May 9, 2022 12:18:59 GMT
Round 4 - Strong winds still buffeted the course, and the completely dried-out greens were ultra-fast. Les Souter got better and better as the event progressed, carding 74, 73 and 68 before ending the week with a 67, the joint best round of the final day, and perhaps suggesting that he prefers the drier conditions. Les finished tied 4th with his old adversary Ian McKinley who enjoyed his battle with the elements and the course before stumbling off the 18th green suffering from nervous exhaustion to report his 72. Bob Fletcher felt apprehensive about the slippery greens today but he negotiated them mostly quite well and was quite satisfied with his eventual 72, a score good enough to claim 3rd place, albeit seven shots adrift of Tiger Woods in 2nd spot. No surprises for guessing who won the tourney - going into this round with a 19-stroke lead it was never going to be anyone else but CHARLIE ROBERTS, who has now been victorious in both Majors played so far this season. He didn't have it all his own way though - whether it was a lack of focus, physical tiredness, or just plain old age, Charlie took a while to settle, spraying his ball to parts of the course he didn't know existed early on. Inevitably he found a groove, almost aced the 12th, and ended with a 68. The question now is can he go on and complete the Grand Slam of Majors this season?!   
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