Capelle On Golf

A group of unusual suspects are hovering at the top of the leaderboard halfway through the US Open. Still, I wouldn’t expect to see any of the -3 or better crowd hoisting the trophy come Sunday, or Monday night – or whenever they conclude this rain plagued event. Among the huge surprises at the top are Ricky Barnes (-8), Lucas Glover (-7), and David Duval (-3), who must think it’s 2001 again.

Among the six players at -3 or better, Mike Weir would seem to have the best shot at winning. He’s won a major (the 2003 Masters) and he’s got 10 top 10s in the majors including three top sixes in the US Open. A win would give him nine tour victories and leave him a major or a few more wins short of the Hall of Fame.

The group at -2 includes Sean O’Hair, who won impressively at Quail Hollow, and who has stated that he plans on becoming a big time player. Also at two under is Lee Westwood, who shot a 66 today, and who finished a shot behind Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate at last year’s Open.

Next comes Phil Mickelson (-1), who is already a winner just for showing up. Mickelson’s played two gritty rounds as he’s absorbed the good vibes of the crowd. Wife Amy, who stayed home, is surely appreciating the support for her husband. Should Phil win, he will become a leading candidate for Player of the Year and Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year.

Others poised to join the hunt should the leaders falter include Steve Stricker (-1), Geoff Ogilvy (E), and Sergio Garcia (E).

And that brings us to Tiger Woods. On a day when the conditions favored his soaring tee shots and precision iron game, the best he could manage was a 69, which enabled him to make the cut with a shot to spare. For him to win #15, he’ll have to overcome the largest 36 hole deficit in Open history and notch his first major after not leading through three rounds. Though not likely, Tiger is full of surprises. If he goes out and lights up the scoreboard, the suspect group might come back to the field and he could find himself in the hunt.