Ewen Murray names the groupings to look out for at the US Open and backs Phil Mickelson for victory.
Ewen feels Torrey Pines is Phil Mickelson country
What a pity Austria suffered such poor weather ahead of their national championship.
Nevertheless, the three rounds that were able to be completed were entertaining and produced some of the lowest scores of the year so far. After two second places, it was third time lucky for India's Jeev Milkha Singh.
I was also pleased for his caddie, Janet Squire who has caddied for our own Mark Roe and Jamie Spence. For a woman, the tour can be lonely but Janet copes well and is immensely popular with all of her colleagues.
Behind every success story there is another side. Jeev's regular caddie, Max Cunningham decided to take a week off last week, not a great decision. The last time Max did that, he was caddying for Brett Rumford. Max missed the Swiss event, Brett won in Crans sur Sierre!! Never mind Max, it happens.
Transformed
So to the year's second major set among the Torrey Pines that give this municipal golf course its name. The nearby villages of Vista and La Jolla will be transformed for a week as America's greatest golfing show comes to San Diego.
It was in August 1971 I left Turnhouse airport by Edinburgh in tears after saying goodbye to my parents, Joan and Jim, bound for the promised land of the United States. It was the first time I had left our shores.
As Scottish boy champion, I had qualified to play in the World Junior Championship held at Torrey Pines. First stop was London's Heathrow airport, much bigger than Edinburgh I thought, then onto the Pan Am 747 and before you get any ideas, it was not the one that landed on water!
After passing the Rockies, Los Angeles was below us and looking out of the window, I was overwhelmed by its size. Another flight and destination San Diego was reached.
All this was done in carefree days with no guardian. How things have changed today. I stayed with Mr and Mrs Lumsden and their two sons in Vista and had the time of my life.
The winner of the World Junior that year was none other than "The Walrus" Craig Stadler. Others who have gone on to win their age section are Dale Hayes, Nick Price, Trevor Immelman and one, Tiger Woods. The tournament still operates today.
Change
So much of course will have changed in these nearly four decades, but the main lay-out of the South course still stands, although much length has been added to make this year's US Open test one covering 7,608 yards
The draw for the first two rounds have raised much discussion around the clubhouses and indeed throughout the press previews during the last few days.
The top grouping play together for the first time in the history of the championship, Tiger, Phil and Adam, the world's top three ranked players.
Mike Davis, Director of Operations for the USGA said it was time to try something different and "to heck with the television people". Where has Mike been recently? Does he not think television wants to see Woods, Mickelson and Scott play together?
If I were to ask all of our
Sky Sports golfing viewers, would they like to see the games big three head to head, what would they say? There is only one answer, a resounding, yes.
There are other many attractive groups for you to watch over the 30 plus hours of live coverage on Sky Sports.
If it's consistency you want to enjoy, K.J.Choi, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker will provide that. Cink, Garcia and Vijay Singh provide class and three Masters
