European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 15, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse Stars and Mideast edition june 2007 sports Coughlin message to the giants shut up and Page 30 Charles Luke Donald of England throws his Putter after missing a Birdie putt on the 13th Green during the first round of the open on notoriously Tough course living up to Billing by Alan Robinson the associated press Pennsylvania a Little rain want about to soften up hardened old Oakmont coun try not even Tor a Nick a onetime pro Tege of Nick shot a 2under 68 for the Early first round Lead but the real Story was How Oakmont was living up to its reputation of one of americas toughest about six hours into opening round Only nine golfers were under despite Specula Tion that a lat afternoon Thunder storm wednesday created better scoring conditions by slowing if just a Little Oakmont traditionally fast not so Tiger Woods found out during his first tournament round at Oak mint How Eyen though he was Only three shots off the Lead with a 1over tied with defending Champion Geoff its right Woods five Over youre still in the youve got to hang in this Golf course is its hard to make birdies and its easy to make bogeys and that rain really nobody taking it to the Golf Woods this was As easy As its going to and look what it was much worse for some other big Sergio Garcia shot himself out of Contention with a 9over and Colin Mont leaders in the clubhouse golfer Hole score Nick 2 Angel 1 Jose Maria Bubba Olin l Tiger l Geoff 1 niclas 1 Ben 1 Pablo 1 Andere 1 source masters Champion Zach Johnson and two time open Champion Relief Goosen were near the Bottom of the Leader Board at 6over Montgomerie tied for second a year ago at winged foot follow ing an opening round 69 and was third in a three Way playoff with Champion Ernie Els and Loren Roberts during the last open at Oakmont in 1994 Els opened thursday at David Toms was 3 under at the turn after starting at 10 and appeared to be on his Way to an excellent opening but he Chris ome Raap Tiger Woods reacts after missing a Birdie putt during the first round of the open at Oakmont on Woods shot a closed with five bogeys in the final six holes and a 2over the Urga was concerned that a storm that dumped about a half Inch of rain on Oakmont in a Short time wednesday took away some of Oakmont legendary Speed and created putting conditions More favourable than it want Johnny Miller shot his record 63 to win the 1973 open at Oakmont following such a there have been any the open is said who is 28th on the european pea Money it tests every aspect of your game and mentally As Dougherty had four three on the Back my Short game was Dougherty my course discipline was Superb Asim just pleased to get through hitting the Way i among the bigger names tee ing off later was Phil who has a left wrist injury that prevented him from playing a full practice round this Avyay Singh and Jim Furyk were also afternoon the High scores probably we rent a Surprise to honorary tournament chairman Arnold who questioned whether the Field ready to Challenge Oakmont and its speedy this is a record eighth open at but the first in 13 and Only a dozen or so players have tournament experience on a course reputed to be the toughest in and tins Oakmont Doest look like that Pretiger Oakmont of not with Trees levelled since the bunkers made deeper and More threatening and the Church pews Bunker for All the he what sets Oakmont apart Are greens so fast and tilted that the Urga is having trouble finding four adequate pin placements on each and they were probably the easiest pin in each Section but still look at the Woods Mussina silences diamondbacks As Yankees run Streak to eight straight Page 29 racing stripes after making Al history last Rookie sensation Hamilton set to race at indy Page 26 gunning for first ring or spurs still driven to win titles Page 25
