US Open golf tournament 2009 A-Z: New York to Fuzzy Zoeller

N is for NEW YORK, more specifically Farmingdale is the location of Bethpage State Park.

O is for Mr O. McCammon who holds the record for the highest fourth-round score in US Open history of 116 in 1899. This was not the highest round in U.S. Open history however. J.D Tucker achieved that feat a year earlier with a score of 157 at Myopia Hunt Club.

P is for PETER Hanson, who qualified for this year's Championship via European Qualifying at Walton Heath Golf Club, Surrey. The tall Swede managed a hole-in-one on the second play-off hole in order to cement his place.

Q is for QUE, Angelo, of the Philippines who was one of five qualifiers at International qualifying in Japan.

R is for ROCCO Mediate. The American experienced a situation that many have gone through in recent years, beating every man in the field bar one, Tiger Woods.

S is for SLEEPOVER. As a municipal course, Bethpage Black is open to anyone paying a green fee. The only downside is that due to the popularity of the golf course, any one wishing to play will have to arrive the night before, get in line for tee-times and sleepover in the club car park.   T is for TORREY PINES GOLF CLUB, host of the US Open 2008. The Black course at Bethpage will have big shoes to fill this year in terms of following the extremely high standards set by the Californian Course. U is for the U.S.P.G.A. who will host the U.S. Open for the 109th time this year.

V is for Jersey-born Harry VARDON who won the Championship in 1900 at Chicago Golf Club.

W is for WARNING. Behind the first tee of the Black course at Bethpage, a 'Warning' sign reads, "The Black course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers." X is for ‘not allowed’. For spectators attending the 2009 US Open golf championship, mobile phones, cameras and also autographs will not be permitted.

Y is for YARDAGE. Last year’s Torrey Pines golf course remains the longest to host the Championship at 7,643 yards. This year’s Black Course has been extended by 200 yards up to 7,426 yards. The shortest ever U.S. Open venue stands as Shinnecock Hills during the 1896 Championship at a mere 4,423 yards. Z stands for Fuzzy ZOELLER, winner of the 1984 U.S Open at Winged Foot.

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