From one coastal premier public golf course to another—the West Coast version—the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines headed east to the East Coast version—the 2009 US Open at Bethpage Black. Lucas Glover won his only major title, two strokes ahead of runners-up Ricky Barnes, David Duval, and Phil Mickelson. This was the second U.S. Open at Bethpage Black; the first in 2002 was won by Tiger Woods, also the defending champion. The 2009 edition was hit heavily by continuous rain throughout the tournament, and resulted in multiple suspensions of play. Mickelson announced that this would be his last tournament for a while, before he took time off to tend to his ailing wife, Amy, who had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It was Mickelson’s fifth runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, breaking the record of four by Sam Snead, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. His sixth came four years later in 2013 at Merion. Glover birdied 16 and parred the final two holes to seal the victory.
I love having the US Open at Bethpage Black as I stay with my sister who lives not too far away. This year I did features on the people I met during the week—People of the US Open! While I know the focus is the golf competition inside the ropes, for me as much fun, as much entertainment, and as much inspiration lies outside the ropes, hence an earlier name for ‘Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary’ was “Outside the Ropes Entertainment!”
Another Monday finish at the US Open, this time the completion of the Final Round, last year the 18-hole playoff and 2-hole sudden death win by Tiger Woods over Rocco Mediate.
The par-5 4th hole at Bethpage Black being the Signature Hole does not adequately convey its beauty, its historical design or its spiritual aspects walking it for 5 days in a row watching the best golfers in the world trying to master its competitive greatness as well. Plus the entertainment outside the ropes not far from the greatest city in the world!
Here are 121 picture memories of the 2009 US Open at Bethpage Black won by Lucas Glover!
TROML Baby!