Codswallop

The 2008 US Open at kicks off later this week at Torrey Pines. I really enjoyed watching the big hitting Angel Cabrera taking out the US Open last year. I hope this years Open is half as exciting. This year there are nine Australian starters, down from twelve from last year.

Leading the charge is the number one Australian golfer and number three in the world Adam Scott. Adam has been in pretty good form this year notching up two wins. The Qatar Masters at the beginning of the year and the Bryon Nelson Championship in April. Could this be the year Adam Scott finally lives up to his potential.

Then there is of course the 2006 US Open and world number five Geoff Ogilvy. Geoff's been going along ok this season, currently sitting 7th in the FedExCup race. He's also won on tour this year taking out CA Championship where of course he broke Tiger's run.

Robert Allenby is in good form, coming off a play off last week. Robert Allenby has been consistent as usual this season, currently tied for second in top ten finishes. He also leads the tour in greens in regulation and is always near the top in total driving. I'm surprised Robert hasn't performed much better in the majors. Perhaps he'll continue his good form and have a good week with the putter.

Finally it's nice to see Jarrod Lyle get an exemption. I assume it's because of his good performances on the Nationwide Tour this year.

3. Adam Scott
5. Geoff Ogilvy
18. Aaron Baddeley
30. Robert Allenby
31. Stuart Appleby
48. Rod Pampling
117. Mathew Goggin
165. Craig Parry
281. Jarrod Lyle

Congratulations to the big Argentinian Angel Cabrera for taking out the 2007 US Open at Oakmont. I've enjoyed watching him play over the last four days and was very glad to see him hold off Tiger. Even though the scores were high I thought this years US Open was very entertaining.

Not only are the last four winners foreigners but all from the southern hemisphere. Retief Goosen - South Africa, Michael Campbell - New Zealand, Geoff Ogilvy - Australia and of course Angel Cabrera - Argentina.

Aaron Baddeley's performance was disappointing. I predicted he would have a disaster hole but a triple bogey on the opening hole was not a good way to start the final round. Badd's did hit some good shots in his final round but his putting which is usually his strength really let him down in a big way. However as they say it's a learning experience and I'm sure he will feature in more majors over the next few years.

Badd's performance wasn't good but the worst shot has to go to Jim Furyk on the 17th hole. What was Furyk thinking?! Tied for the lead with a couple of holes remaining and he tries to drive the hole - simply crazy! Perhaps a play you might have tried if you needed a couple birdies over the last two holes, but when you're tied with the lead at Oakmont? I would have thought he would have been more than happy to par the final two holes and set the club house lead at plus 5.

So how did the Aussies finish?

• +12 Aaron Baddeley
• +15 Nick O'Hern
• +16 Stuart Appleby
• +18 Mathew Goggin
• +19 Geoff Ogilvy
• +20 Marcus Fraser

Aussie Aaron Baddeley is leading after the third round of the 2007 US Open at Oakmont. Badds remains at 2 over par, but look who's breathing down his neck. I don't think that will worry him, I've always liked the way Aaron Baddeley plays. Stringing together four good rounds around Oakmont however will be some kind of feat. Badds has played to par since the 2nd hole in his opening round. I think he's due for a disaster and it will then be a question of how he handles it.

Australian Leaderboard

• +2 Aaron Baddeley
• +7 Stuart Appleby
• +11 Nick O'Hern
• +14 Geoff Ogilvy
• +14 Mathew Goggin
• +17 Marcus Fraser

The second round of the 2007 US Open at Oakmont has concluded and no players are below par! Angel Cabrera is leading at even par with Bubba Watson is a stroke further back. Interestingly both these guys are huge hitters. Bubba is leading the pga tour in driving distance while Angel is currently ranked fourth on the european tour. I would have thought Oakmont favoured the accurate player. Interestingly they are both having good putting days. Bubba is 4th in the stats and Angel 16th. They also have another thing in common, they both play ping golf equipment.

As for the Aussies only half made the cut. The best is Badds who is tied for second at +2. If you consider Aaron Baddeley opened the tournament with a double bogey he has played as good as anyone over the first two rounds. The big disappointment is Adam Scott. At number 4 in the world he really should be able to put in a better performance. When you look at the other top players their bad days aren't nearly a woeful as Adam's. Look at his final round last week, you just wouldn't see Tiger doing that. The defending US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy looked to be loosing it for a while there but righted the ship finishing at +6 so isn't totally out of it.

Australian Leaderboard

• +2 Aaron Baddeley
• +6 Geoff Ogilvy
• +6 Stuart Appleby
• +10 Marcus Fraser
• +10 Nick O'Hern
• +10 Mathew Goggin

The following players missed the cut

• +14 Andrew Buckle
• +14 Robert Allenby
• +16 Robert Pampling
• +16 Nathan Green
• +18 Adam Scott
• +23 Steve Elkington

Round one is over and there is only two players under par. Nick Dougherty is leading after a 2 under 68 followed by Angel Cabrera at 1 under. As for the Aussies defending champion Geoff Ogilvy is leading the charge at plus 1.

The Aussie leaderboard stands as follows

• +1 Geoff Ogilvy
• +2 Aaron Baddeley
• +2 Marcus Fraser
• +3 Andrew Buckle
• +4 Stuart Appleby
• +4 Nathan Green
• +5 Robert Allenby
• +6 Nick O'Hern
• +6 Adam Scott
• +7 Mathew Goggin
• +11 Robert Pampling
• +14 Steve Elkington