US Open / Steven Rawlings / 20 June 2009 /

One of Steve's pick, Phil Mickelson, certainly had the luck of the draw once the rain finally relented at the US Open, but he fears a charge from you know who later today.

We should be halfway through the US Open by now but with Thursday almost a complete washout, we've still got the majority of round two to play.

With relentless torrential rain falling virtually all day long, just over three hours play was all they managed to get done on day one and with play halting just as the live coverage started it was a bitter disappointment. It was also unfair on those that had been allocated a morning tee-time, including Tiger Woods.

When they returned yesterday, the best any of those that had started on Thursday could muster for round one was one under par, shot by amateur Drew Weaver and Ireland's Graeme McDowell. Tiger Woods had an atrocious finish to his first round and it wasn't anything to do with the weather.

He returned to the course one over par through just six holes, with a ten foot par save to negotiate on the 7th. He missed that but then birdied a couple of holes and when he went to the 15th tee on level par he traded as short as [2.54], but then it all went pear-shaped. After playing the last four holes in four over and with his second round yet to start, he now trades much bigger, at around [6.0] and trails current leader Lucas Glover by ten shots.

Three of my picks Paul Casey, Zach Johnson, and Ben Crane were also on the wrong side of the draw and are even further back and quite frankly look completely out of it.

I've had a couple of bets so far, laying Tiger when he slashed his opening drive along way wide of the 1st fairway at [3.0], but when he managed to make par I just backed him straight back. When Tiger bites it can be painful and I didn't want the hassle of laying him after he'd made par. Obviously I regret giving it straight back now but he's by no means out of it yet, not by a long chalk.

I also had a small bet on Vijay Singh at [60.0] when he birdied the 17th in round one, before all the later starters started ripping up the course I may add. And before he started his round, I backed Phil Mickelson again, at [19.0], when Tiger started stuttering.

Mickelson started his tournament really well and after 12 holes he'd gotten himself to three under, despite losing a ball! His tee-shot on the par three 3rd (his 12th of the round) landed about five feet from the pin and he was matched at a low of [5.0]. But then wobbly Phil turned up and I layed some of my wager back at [6.2]. He missed that putt, failed to birdie the par five 4th and then missed a few more short putts- ending round one on just one under par.

When everyone had finished round one, Mike Weir, on six under, led the event by two from Peter Hanson and was vying for favouritism with Tiger at around [7.2], with Lefty trading at [8.2].

Mickelson started his second round poorly, making an extremely ugly double bogey on the 2nd and watching him seemingly toss away such a golden opportunity was pretty sad. The caption that popped up on TV made for painful reading - First 14 holes -3, last 7 holes +4. He, like all those allocated a late tee-time, had been given a massive advantage but he just wasn't making the most of it and he drifted right out to [19.5], but then from somewhere he found some inspiration and made three birdies in four holes.

Lefty has seven holes of his second round to play when the action resumes, now on one under par, he's five behind leader Glover and five in front of Tiger, and I know which one I fear most.

It's really open still and fascinatingly poised, the leaderboard doesn't look particularly strong and a Tiger charge this afternoon certainly isn't out of the question but for now I haven't given up on the dream - so come on Lefty!

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